Europium Facts - Element Atomic Number 63

Chemical and Physical Properties of Eu

This is a photo of europium in a glovebox under argon.
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By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on March 09, 2017

Europium is a hard, silver-colored metal that readily oxidizes in air. It is element atomic number 63, with the symbol Eu.

Europium Basic Facts

Atomic Number: 63

Symbol: Eu

Atomic Weight: 151.9655

Discovery: Boisbaudran 1890; Eugene-Antole Demarcay 1901 (France)

Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f7 6s2

Element Classification: Rare Earth (Lanthanide)

Word Origin: Named for the continent of Europe.

Europium Physical Data

Density (g/cc): 5.243

Melting Point (K): 1095

Boiling Point (K): 1870

Appearance: soft, silvery-white metal

Atomic Radius (pm): 199

Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 28.9

Covalent Radius (pm): 185

Ionic Radius: 95 (+3e) 109 (+2e)

Specific Heat (@20°C J/g mol): 0.176

Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 176

Pauling Negativity Number: 0.0

First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 546.9

Oxidation States: 3, 2

Lattice Structure: Body-Centered Cubic

Lattice Constant (Å): 4.610

References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Lange's Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics (18th Ed.)

Chemistry Facts

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Europium Facts - Element Atomic Number 63." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/europium-facts-element-606532. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Europium Facts - Element Atomic Number 63. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/europium-facts-element-606532 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Europium Facts - Element Atomic Number 63." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/europium-facts-element-606532 (accessed June 10, 2023).