Erbium

Pronounced

UR-bi-em

Erbium (Er) is a silvery coloured metal that has the atomic number 68 in the periodic table. It is a Lanthanide metal. It has the symbol Er.

Erbium was isolated in 1843 by Carl Mosander who obtained two metal oxides from Yttria. One of these was the pink erbium oxide. It was extracted in 1878 by Jean-Charles Galissard de Marignac. Erbium like Holmium is used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors. The oxide Erbia is used as a pink glaze in glass. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 1529°c and a boiling point of 2868°c.

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FAQ's

What is the Melting Point for Erbium?

Erbium has a Melting Point of 1529°C, meaning at 1529°C it will turn to a liquid.

What is the Boiling Point for Erbium?

Erbium has a Boiling Point of 2868°C, meaning at 2868°C it will turn to a Gas.

What is the Electronegativity of Erbium?

Erbium's Electronegativty is 1.24. Electronegativity is a measure of how strongly atoms attract bonding electrons to themselves.

Discovered by

Carl Mosander

Discovery date

1843

What is the Heat of Vaporization of Erbium?

Erbium has a Heat of Vaporization of 261 kJ/mol.

Uses

Erbium oxide is used in ceramics to obtain a pink glaze. Also a few uses in the nuclear industry and as an alloying agent for other exotic metals. For example, it increases the malleability of vanadium.

Sources

Found with other heavier rare earths in xenotime and euxerite.

About the author

Nathan M

Author

Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.

Citation

"Erbium" Published on Dec 30, 2019. https://breakingatom.com/elements/erbium

Protons

Electrons

Neutrons

Er

Element Symbol

Atomic Weight

167.259

Atomic Number

State

Solid

Melting Point

Unknown

1529

°C

Boiling Point

2868

Unknown

°C

Heat of Vaporization

261

Unknown

kJ/mol

Crystal Structure

Hexagonal

Thermoconductivity

0.143

Unknown

W/cmK

Shells

2,8,18,30,8,2

Group

Lanthanide

Period

Block

F Block

Orbitals

[Xe] 4f12 6s2

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

9.4 10^-6 K^-1

Covalent Radius

1.57 Å

Density at 293K

9.05 g/cm³

Electrical Conductivity

0.0117 10^6/cm ohm

First Ionization Potential

6.1078 V

Second Ionization Potential

11.929 V

Third Ionization Potential

22.739 V

Ionic Radius

1.00 (+3) Å

Oxydation States

Lattice Parameter

3.5589 Å

Lattice Parameter 2

Lattice Parameter 3

5.5511 Å

Orbital configuration

2,8,18,30,8,2

Download the Periodic Table

The periodic table in multiple colors, each color represents a periodic group

Er

Erbium

Erbium (Er) is a silvery coloured metal that has the atomic number 68 in the periodic table. It is a Lanthanide metal. It has the symbol Er.

Download Erbium as a printable and fully scalable image

FAQ's

What is the Melting Point for Erbium?

What is the Boiling Point for Erbium?

What is the Electronegativity of Erbium?

What is the Heat of Vaporization of Erbium?

Uses

Sources

About the author

Nathan M

Citation

Er

Download the Periodic Table

Explore Other Lanthanides

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