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Samarium (Sm)
Element with atomic number 62, category: Lanthanide, a solid at room temperature.
Element 62 of 118
Lanthanide
Samarium
Group 8, Period 6 (lanthanide series)
Common Uses
Magnets
Electron Diagram
About Samarium
Samarium is a chemical element with the symbol Sm and atomic number 62, meaning every atom has 62 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Lanthanide and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 150.36 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Samarium sits in group 8, period 6 (lanthanide series), which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Samarium
In daily life and industry, Samarium is used for Magnets. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Lanthanide category.
Electron Structure of Samarium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Samarium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 2 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.