Samarium (Sm): Properties, Uses and Facts in 3D
Samarium is element 62 on the periodic table, a lanthanide, so it is a metal. At room temperature it is a solid. Open it in the 3D Periodic Table to spin its tile, see its electron shells and read its story.
Explore in 3DSamarium quick facts
| Atomic number | 62 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Sm |
| Atomic mass | 150.36 |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Series and period | Lanthanides, period 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f⁶ 6s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 24, 8, 2 |
| Discovered | 1879, Lecoq de Boisbaudran |
What is samarium used for?
- Samarium-cobalt permanent magnets
- Neutron absorber in nuclear reactors
- Samarium-153 cancer therapy
Interesting facts about samarium
- Samarium-cobalt magnets keep working at about 350°C, far hotter than neodymium magnets. Used in aerospace motors
- Named after the mineral samarskite, named after the Russian mining official Vasili Samarsky
- Samarium-153 relieves pain from cancer that has spread to bone
Samarium was discovered in 1879 by Lecoq de Boisbaudran in France.
Where samarium sits on the periodic table
Samarium is in the lanthanide series (period 6). Tap any element to open its page.
Other lanthanides
Samarium questions
What is the atomic number of samarium?
Samarium has atomic number 62, so every samarium atom has 62 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Sm and its atomic mass is 150.36.
Is samarium a metal?
Samarium is a metal. On the periodic table it is grouped as a lanthanide, found in the lanthanide series (period 6).
What is the electron configuration of samarium?
The electron configuration of samarium is [Xe] 4f⁶ 6s². Its electrons sit in 6 shells: 2, 8, 18, 24, 8, 2.
What is samarium used for?
Samarium is used for samarium-cobalt permanent magnets, neutron absorber in nuclear reactors and samarium-153 cancer therapy.
Who discovered samarium?
Samarium was discovered in 1879 by Lecoq de Boisbaudran in France.
The 3D Periodic Table is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.