Erbium (Er)

General Information

• Symbol: Er
• Atomic Number: 68
• Atomic Weight: 167.259 u
• Element Category: Lanthanide
• Group: N/A (Lanthanides series)
• Period: 6
• Block: f-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery-white metallic
• Density: 9.066 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 1529 °C (2784 °F)
• Boiling Point: 2868 °C (5194 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹² 6s²
• Oxidation States: +3 (most common)

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Erbium is relatively stable in air and does not oxidize as quickly as some other rare earth metals. It reacts with water to form erbium hydroxide and with acids to form erbium salts.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as erbium(III) oxide (Er₂O₃), erbium(III) chloride (ErCl₃), and erbium(III) nitrate (Er(NO₃)₃).

Uses and Applications

• Lasers: Erbium-doped fibers are used in fiber-optic communications and erbium-doped lasers are used in medical and dental applications.
• Alloys: Added to vanadium to lower its hardness and improve its workability.
• Nuclear Technology: Used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors.
• Phosphors: Used in phosphors for television screens and fluorescent lamps.
• Glass Coloring: Used to produce a pink color in glass and ceramics.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Found in minerals such as xenotime, euxenite, and gadolinite, often alongside other rare earth elements.
• Extraction: Extracted through complex processes involving the crushing of ore, magnetic separation, and solvent extraction.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Erbium-162, Erbium-164, Erbium-166, Erbium-167, Erbium-168, Erbium-170 (most stable)
• Radioactive Isotopes: Several radioactive isotopes, including Erbium-169 and Erbium-171, used in research.

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Erbium compounds are considered to have low toxicity, but dust and powders should be handled carefully to avoid inhalation or ingestion. Metallic erbium can be a fire hazard in powder form.
• Precautions: Use appropriate protective equipment when handling erbium and its compounds.

History

• Discovery: Discovered by Carl Gustaf Mosander in 1843.
• Name Origin: Named after the village of Ytterby in Sweden, where the mineral gadolinite was found.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)
• Magnetic Properties: Paramagnetic at room temperature
• Thermal Conductivity: 14.5 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: 0.86 µΩ·m at 20°C

Summary

Erbium is a versatile lanthanide with a wide range of applications in industry, medicine, and technology. It is particularly valuable in fiber-optic communications, lasers, and glass coloring. Discovered in the mid-19th century and named after the Swedish village of Ytterby, erbium is found in several minerals and requires careful handling due to its reactive nature.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Erbium

1. What is the atomic number of Erbium?

   • 68

2. What is the symbol for Erbium?

   • Er

3. What is the atomic weight of Erbium?

   • 167.259 u

4. In which group of the periodic table is Erbium found?

   • Lanthanides series (no specific group)

5. What period is Erbium in?

   • Period 6

6. What block does Erbium belong to?

   • f-block

7. What is the density of Erbium?

   • 9.066 g/cm³

8. What is the melting point of Erbium?

   • 1529 °C (2784 °F)

9. What is the boiling point of Erbium?

   • 2868 °C (5194 °F)

10. What is the electron configuration of Erbium?

    • [Xe] 4f¹² 6s²

11. What are the common oxidation states of Erbium?

    • +3 (most common)

12. What is the appearance of Erbium?

    • Silvery-white metallic

13. Is Erbium reactive with air?

    • Relatively stable, does not oxidize quickly.

14. Name a compound of Erbium.

    • Erbium(III) oxide (Er₂O₃)

15. What is a common use of Erbium in lasers?

    • Erbium-doped fibers for fiber-optic communications.

16. How is Erbium used in the alloy industry?

    • Added to vanadium to improve workability.

17. What role does Erbium play in nuclear technology?

    • Used as a neutron absorber.

18. How is Erbium used in phosphors?

    • Used in phosphors for television screens and fluorescent lamps.

19. What is a glass coloring application of Erbium?

    • Used to produce a pink color in glass and ceramics.

20. How is Erbium typically found in nature?

    • In minerals such as xenotime, euxenite, and gadolinite.

21. What are the stable isotopes of Erbium?

    • Erbium-162, Erbium-164, Erbium-166, Erbium-167, Erbium-168, Erbium-170

22. What safety hazard is associated with Erbium dust?

    • It can be a fire hazard.

23. Who discovered Erbium?

    • Carl Gustaf Mosander

24. Where does the name Erbium come from?

    • Named after the village of Ytterby in Sweden.

25. What is the crystal structure of Erbium at room temperature?

    • Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)

26. Is Erbium paramagnetic or diamagnetic at room temperature?

    • Paramagnetic

27. What is the thermal conductivity of Erbium?

    • 14.5 W/m·K

28. What is the electrical resistivity of Erbium at 20°C?

    • 0.86 µΩ·m

29. What is the primary oxidation state of Erbium in its compounds?

    • +3

30. Is Erbium found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is found in minerals.

31. What is the common name of Erbium(III) chloride?

    • ErCl₃

32. What is a major application of Erbium in fiber optics?

    • Erbium-doped fibers for communication.

33. How does Erbium benefit the nuclear industry?

    • As a neutron absorber.

34. What is the melting point of Erbium in Kelvin?

    • 1802 K

35. What group does Erbium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Lanthanides series

36. What is the natural abundance of Erbium-167?

    • It is one of the stable isotopes.

37. Can Erbium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, particularly in alloys.

38. What is the key property that makes Erbium valuable in lasers?

    • Its ability to amplify light in fiber-optic communications.

39. How is Erbium used in the chemical industry?

    • Mainly in research and specialized applications.

40. What precautions should be taken when handling Erbium?

    • Use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation or ingestion.