Sm
Samarium
Atomic number: 62Mass: 150.36 uCategory: Lanthanide
About Samarium
Samarium is a moderately hard silvery metal. It is used in making powerful samarium-cobalt magnets (the second strongest type of permanent magnet). It also has applications in cancer treatment.
Properties
Period
6
Group
N/A
Block
F
Category
Lanthanide
Electronegativity
1.17 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
544.5 kJ/mol
Melting Point
1345 K (1072°C)
Boiling Point
2067 K (1794°C)
Density
7.52 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+2, +3
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f⁶ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s²
[Xe] 4f⁶ 6s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:24e⁻
Shell 5:8e⁻
Shell 6:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Samarium-cobalt magnets
Cancer radiotherapy
Absorbing neutrons (reactors)
Infrared lasers
Headphones
Fun Fact
Samarium-cobalt magnets were used in the weapons guidance systems of early 'smart bombs' — tiny but incredibly powerful magnets!