Samarium (Sm) – Periodic Table [Element Information & More]

samarium element periodic table

Samarium element (Sm) is in period 6 of a periodic table. Samarium is in the f-block and it is classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.

There is a lot more information related to samarium which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.

So let’s dive right into it!

Table of contents

Samarium Element (Information Table)

The important data related to samarium element is given in the table below.

Appearance of samariumSilvery white
Atomic number of samarium62
Symbol of samariumSm
Atomic mass of samarium150.36 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in samariumProtons: 62, Neutrons: 88, Electrons: 62
State of samarium (at STP)Solid
Period number of samarium in periodic table6
Block of samarium in periodic tablef-block
Category of samariumInner transition metals
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in samarium2, 8, 18, 24, 8, 2
Electron configuration of samarium[Xe] 4f6 6s2
Orbital diagram of samariumorbital diagram of samarium
Electronegativity of samarium (on pauling scale)1.17
Atomic radius of samarium (van der Waals radius)229 picometers
Density of samarium7.35 g/cm3
1st ionization energy of samarium5.644 eV
Main isotope of samarium152Sm
Melting point of samarium1345 K or 1072 °C or 1962 °F
Boiling point of samarium2173 K or 1900 °C or 3452 °F
Crystal structure of samariumRhombohedral
Discovery of samariumBy Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1879

Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).

Samarium element in Periodic table

The Samarium element (Sm) has the atomic number 62 and is located in period 6. Samarium is a metal and it is classified as a lanthanide group element.

H He
Li Be B C N O F Ne
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
Cs Ba La* Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
Fr Ra Ac** Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
*Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
**Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

Facts about samarium

Here are a few interesting facts about the samarium element.

  1. Samarium was given its name from the name of its ore “samarskite”.
  2. Lecoq de Boisbaudran was the chemist who discovered samarium in 1879.
  3. The concentration of samarium in the earth’s crust is around 6 ppm by weight.
  4. Samarium is the 40th most abundant element present in the earth’s crust.

Properties of samarium

Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of samarium.

Physical properties of samarium

  • Samarium has a silvery-gray metallic appearance.
  • Samarium has many isotopes and the most abundant isotope is 152Sm.
  • The density of samarium is 7.35 g/cm3 and its atomic mass is 150.36 amu.
  • The melting point and boiling point of samarium is 1345 K and 2173 K respectively.
  • Samarium has a rhombohedral crystal structure.

Chemical properties of samarium

  • Samarium is reactive and it tarnishes easily if kept open in the air.
  • Samarium metal starts to ignite when it is heated in the air at the temperature of 150 °C.
  • Samarium is a reactive metal and so it is found in a compound form with other elements.
  • The most common oxidation state of samarium is +3.
  • Samarium has an electron configuration of [Xe] 4f6 6s2 and it is classified as a f-block element on the periodic table because of the last electron entering in the f-orbitals.

Uses of samarium

Here are some uses of the samarium element.

  • Samarium is used in carbon arc lighting which is used in studio lighting.
  • Samarium is also used as a neutron absorber in nuclear power plants.
  • Samarium is also used in manufacturing of optical lasers as well as glasses that can absorb infrared rays.
  • Samarium and cobalt are alloyed with each other to make magnets.

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