Europium [Eu] (CAS-ID: 7440-53-1) locate me
An: 63 N: 89 Am: 151.964 (1)
Group Name: Lanthanoid
Block: f-block  Period: 6 (lanthanoid)
State: solid at 298 K
Colour: silvery white Classification: Metallic
Boiling Point: 1870K (1597'C)
Melting Point: 1095K (822'C)
Density: 5.244g/cm3
Shell Structure diagram | Atomic Radius diagram
Isotopes | More Info
Discovery Information
Who: Eugene Demarcay
When: 1901
Where: France
Name Origin
From Europe.
Sources
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.
Uses
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.
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.
Notes
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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