Europium properties
- Atomic mass
- 151.96 u
- Category
- Lanthanide
- Group
- —
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f-block
- State at room temp.
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1,099 K (825.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 1,802 K (1,528.8 °C)
- Density
- 5.264 g/cm³
- Common charges
- +2, +3
- Oxidation states
- +3, +2
- Atomic radius
- 233 pm
- Ionization energy
- 5.67 eV
- Electron affinity
- —
- Radioactive
- No, has stable isotopes
- Discovered
- 1901
Europium electron configuration
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f7 6s2
- Full electron configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f7 5s2 5p6 6s2
- Electron shells
- 2 · 8 · 18 · 25 · 8 · 2
The electron configuration of Europium (Eu) is [Xe] 4f7 6s2. Its 63 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2.
Protons, neutrons and electrons in Europium
A neutral Europium atom has 63 protons and 63 electrons. Most Europium atoms have about 89 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 152, minus the atomic number 63.
Neutrons are approximate: atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons (isotopes). Atomic number and mass
How many valence electrons does Europium have?
2
Europium has 2 valence electrons in its outermost shell. As an f-block element, its 4f or 5f electrons can also take part in bonding.
Europium orbital diagram
Each box is an orbital that holds up to two electrons with opposite spins (↑↓). The inner shells are the same as the noble gas in brackets. How to write electron configurations
Molar mass of Europium
151.96 g/mol
One mole of Europium atoms (6.022 × 10²³ atoms) has a mass of 151.96 grams. Use this value to convert between grams and moles.
Europium facts
- Europium is named after the continent of Europe.
- Europium is the most reactive of the lanthanides, quickly tarnishing in air and reacting with water much like calcium.
- Europium (Eu) has atomic number 63 and is a solid at room temperature. It was discovered in 1901.
Position in the periodic table
Europium is element 63, in period 6 of the periodic table. It is one of the Lanthanides in the f-block, shown in the rows below the main table.
Uses of Europium
Europium is used mainly in phosphors, materials that glow when struck by electrons or ultraviolet light. Europium compounds produced the red color in older television screens and help create the white light of fluorescent lamps and some LEDs. Glowing europium compounds are also used in security inks that help protect banknotes against counterfeiting.
Who discovered Europium?
French chemist Eugène-Anatole Demarçay discovered europium in 1901 in Paris, after separating it from samples of samarium that he suspected contained an unknown element.
Where does the name come from?
Europium is named after the continent of Europe. French chemist Eugène-Anatole Demarçay, who identified the element in 1901 after years of careful separation work, chose the name.
Lanthanide
Compare Europium
FAQ
What is the electron configuration of Europium?
The electron configuration of Europium (Eu) is [Xe] 4f7 6s2. Its 63 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2.
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does Europium have?
A neutral Europium atom has 63 protons and 63 electrons. Most Europium atoms have about 89 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 152, minus the atomic number 63.
How many valence electrons does Europium have?
Europium has 2 valence electrons in its outermost shell. As an f-block element, its 4f or 5f electrons can also take part in bonding.
What is the molar mass of Europium?
The molar mass of Europium is 151.96 g/mol. This is the same number as its atomic mass, 151.96 u.
Is Europium a metal?
Yes. Europium is a lanthanide, so it is a metal.
Is Europium radioactive?
Ordinary Europium is not radioactive: it has at least one stable isotope. Like every element, it also has radioactive isotopes, most of them made in laboratories.
Where is Europium on the periodic table?
Europium is element 63, in period 6 of the periodic table. It is one of the Lanthanides in the f-block, shown in the rows below the main table.