Holmium
HOLE-mi-em
Holmium (Ho) is a silvery coloured metal that has the atomic number 67 in the periodic table. It is a Lanthanide metal. It has the symbol Ho.
Holmium was discovered using spectroscopy by Marc Delafontaine and Jacques-Louis Soret in 1878. in 1879 during the extraction of the mineral Erbia a brown substance was obtained which was Holmium oxide. The name Holmium comes from the Greek word Holmia which is the greek for Stockholm. Holmium compounds tend to be brownish yellow in colour and Holmium has unusual magnetic properties. Due to this it is used in the production of magnets and also used as a colouring in cubic zirconia. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 1461°c and a boiling point of 2720°c.
FAQ's
J.L. Soret
1878
Uses
It has very few practical applications; however, it has some unusual magnetic properties that offer some hope for future applications.
Sources
Occurs in gadolinite. Most often from monazite which is often 50% rare earth and typically 0.05% holmium.
About the author
Nathan M
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
Ho
Download the Periodic Table
