Discovery Information
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Who: Eugene Demarcay |
When: 1901 |
Where: France |
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Name Origin
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From Europe. |
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Sources
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It is never found in nature as a free element. There are many minerals that contain europium, the important of these are bastnasite
and monazite.
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Uses
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Europium oxide (Eu2O3) along with yttrium oxide are used to make red phosphors for colour televisions. A salt of Europium is a component of the newer phosphorescent
powders and paints, some of which will glow for days after a few minutes of exposure to light.
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A salt of Europium is a component of the newer phosphorescent powders and paints, some of which will glow for days after a
few minutes of exposure to light. Europium fluorescence is used to interogate biomolecular interactions in drug-discovery
screens. It is also used in the anti-counterfeiting phosphors in Euro banknotes.
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Notes
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Europium is the most reactive of the rare earth elements; it quickly oxidizes in air, and resembles calcium in its reaction with water. It is about as hard as lead and quite ductile.
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