Eu
Europium
Element 63 · Lanthanide
Europium (Eu)
Europium is the most reactive rare-earth metal. Its compounds glow red and blue in screens and euro banknotes.
- Lanthanide
- Period 6
- f-block series
- f-block
- solid at room temperature
Key properties
- Atomic mass
- 151.964
- u
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f7 6s2
- Melting point
- 821.9 °C
- 1,095 K
- Boiling point
- 1,528.9 °C
- 1,802 K
- Density
- 5.24 g/cm³
- Electronegativity
- 1.2
- Pauling
- Atomic radius
- 233 pm
- van der Waals
- 1st ionisation energy
- 5.67 eV
Compare with every element:Electronegativity chartAtomic radius chartIonisation energy chartDensity chart of the elementsMelting point chartElectron configuration chart
Did you know?
Notable facts about europium
- 01
Euro banknotes contain europium-based inks that glow under ultraviolet light as an anti-forgery measure.
- 02
Europium phosphors gave colour TVs their bright red.
- 03
It oxidises so quickly in air that it must be stored under oil.
Applications
What is europium used for?
- Red and blue phosphors
- Anti-counterfeiting inks
- Fluorescent lamps
- Neutron absorbers
History
Discovery & name origin
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
- Atomic number
- 63
- Atomic mass
- 151.964 u
- Group
- Lanthanides (3)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f-block
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f7 6s2
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.2
- Electron affinity
- —
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 233 pm
- Stable isotopes
- 1
Oxidation states
Highlighted: common oxidation states (+3, +2).
Successive ionisation energies
Energy to remove each electron in turn (kJ/mol). Big jumps show where a new, inner shell begins.
- 1st547.1
- 2nd1,085
- 3rd2,404
- 4th4,120
Physical
Physical properties & colour
Physical
Physical properties & colour
- State at 20 °C
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1,095 K · 821.9 °C · 1,511.3 °F
- Boiling point
- 1,802 K · 1,528.9 °C · 2,783.9 °F
- Density
- 5.24 g/cm³
- Molar heat capacity
- 27.66 J/(mol·K)
- Appearance
- —
- CPK model colour
- Copied
The CPK colour is the convention used for this element’s atoms in molecular models.
FAQ
Europium questions
What is Eu on the periodic table?
Eu is the symbol for europium, element 63 on the periodic table. It sits in period 6, in the f-block, in the lanthanide category, and has an atomic mass of 151.964.
What is the atomic number of europium?
Europium has atomic number 63, so every europium atom has 63 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Eu and its atomic mass is 151.964.
Who discovered europium?
Europium was discovered by Eugène-Anatole Demarçay in 1901 (France). The name comes from from Europe.
What is europium used for?
Europium is used for: red and blue phosphors; anti-counterfeiting inks; fluorescent lamps; neutron absorbers.
Is europium a metal?
Yes. Europium is a lanthanide, one of the metallic elements.
What is the electron configuration of europium?
The electron configuration of europium is [Xe] 4f7 6s2. Its 63 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2.