Atomic number 63
Europium
Lanthanide
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 151.96
- Group
- –
- Period
- 6
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 1.20
- Common ox. states
- +3
Properties
[Xe] 4f⁷ 6s²
- Ionization energy
- 547.1 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 50.0 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 1099.00 K (825.9 °C)
- Boiling point
- 1802.00 K (1528.8 °C)
How dangerous is it?
The most reactive metal in this row, and the red and blue glow in old TV screens and euro banknotes. It goes after water and air the way calcium does, so it lives under oil.
- FlammableImmediate
Its filings and powder can ignite in air on top of that fast reactivity. (as filings or powder, not the solid)
Keep shavings away from flame and out of contact with water.
- ReactiveImmediate
Europium reacts quickly with water and air, faster than any other lanthanide.
Stored under mineral oil to keep air and moisture away from the bare metal.
How it bonds· family overview
Europium (Eu) is a lanthanide - a soft, silvery metal that almost always loses 3 electrons to form a +3 ion (Ln³⁺). Its 4f electrons sit deep below the valence shell, so chemistry across the lanthanide row is remarkably similar: oxide, fluoride, chloride salts, all in the +3 state.
