62Sm150.36
Samarium
LanthanidesRare-earth metals used in strong magnets, phone screens and lasers.
[Xe] 4f⁶ 6s²
- Atomic number
- 62
- Atomic mass
- 150.36
- Protons
- 62
- Neutrons
- 88 (most common)
- Electrons
- 62
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 24, 8, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Period 6, f-block
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byPaul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, 1879Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran: 3 elements
Named after the mineral samarskite, which honours a Russian mining official. So it was the first element named, indirectly, after a person.
Did you know?
- Samarium–cobalt magnets keep working at high temperatures.
- It is used in some headphones and guitar pickups.
Where it's found
- Samarskite and monazite
What it's used for
- Heat-resistant samarium–cobalt magnets
- Treating bone pain from cancer
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Samarium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.