Dysprosium (Dy)
Dysprosium (Dy, element 66) is a lanthanide in period 6. Atomic mass 162.5, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s², uses and facts.
About Dysprosium
Dysprosium is a lanthanide with the symbol Dy and atomic number 66. It is a solid at room temperature, and it sits in period 6 of the periodic table. Dysprosium was discovered in 1886 by Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran.
Dysprosium key facts
- Atomic number: 66
- Symbol: Dy
- Atomic mass: 162.5 u
- Category: lanthanide
- Group: none (f-block)
- Period: 6
- State at room temperature: solid
- Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s²
- Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.22
- Melting point: 1680 K (1406.85 °C)
- Boiling point: 2840 K (2566.85 °C)
- Density: 8.55 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states: +2, +3, +4
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of dysprosium is [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s². The part in brackets is the noble gas core; the rest shows how the outer electrons fill their subshells.
Uses of dysprosium
- EV motors
- Wind turbines
- Nuclear reactors
Did you know?
Dysprosium has the highest magnetic moment of any element, but it's only strongly magnetic at very low temperatures, at room temperature it's used to dope neodymium magnets so they keep their magnetism when hot.
Neighbouring elements
- Terbium (Tb)
- Holmium (Ho)
- Lanthanum (La)
- Cerium (Ce)
- Praseodymium (Pr)
- Neodymium (Nd)
- Promethium (Pm)
- Samarium (Sm)
- Europium (Eu)
- Gadolinium (Gd)
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of dysprosium?
The atomic number of dysprosium is 66, which means every dysprosium atom has 66 protons.
What is the electron configuration of dysprosium?
The electron configuration of dysprosium is [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s².
What group and period is dysprosium in?
Dysprosium is a lanthanide in period 6.
What state is dysprosium at room temperature?
Dysprosium is a solid at room temperature.
What is dysprosium used for?
Dysprosium is used for EV motors, wind turbines, nuclear reactors.