Why Hf has low melting point?

Answer 1

Hafnium (Hf) has a relatively low melting point compared to other transition metals due to its electronic structure and the nature of its metallic bonding. While hafnium has a high atomic number, its d-electrons are not as effective at contributing to strong metallic bonding as in other heavier transition metals. Additionally, the presence of a more complex crystal structure in hafnium can lead to weaker bonding interactions, resulting in a lower melting point. Overall, these factors contribute to hafnium's lower melting point despite its heavy Atomic Mass.