Dysprosium is a chemical element that has an atomic number (Z) 66. It has an atomic mass of 162.50 g/mol and it is represented through a symbol Dy. It is a member of the lanthanide series and can be found in period 6. The element Dysprosium is an f-block element. The electronic configuration of Dysprosium is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10, 4s2, 4p6, 4d10, 5s2, 5p6, 4f10, 5d0, 6s2. In an electrically neutral atom of Dysprosium, there are 66 electrons, 66 protons and 96 protons. The oxidation states of Dysprosium is 0, +1, +2, +3, +4 and its electronegativity is 1.22 (Pauling scale). There are seven naturally occurring isotopes of dysprosium. There are twenty-nine radioisotopes of dysprosium are synthesized so far.
Dysprosium has a silvery-white appearance. At STP it solid and has a density of 8.540 g/cm3. The melting point of dysprosium is 1680 K ?(1407 °C, ?2565 °F) and its boiling point is 2840 K ?(2562 °C, ?4653 °F). Dysprosium was discovered by Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1886 which was then isolated by Georges Urbain in 1905.
Dysprosium is hard to find in its native and elemental form. When exposed to air it tarnishes and starts to form oxide. It could be extracted from minerals like polycrase, blomstrandine, gadolinite, euxenite, xenotime, fergusonite, monazite and bastnäsite. All these minerals have a mixture of rare earth elements. Earth's crust has an estimated concentration of 5.2 mg/kg of Dysprosium.
With vanadium and other elements, Dysprosium is used in laser components and commercial lighting.
It is in high demand for permanent magnets used in wind turbine generators and electric cars. Dysprosium is used in Terfenol-D alloy which is used in high-precision liquid-fuel injectors and wide-band mechanical resonators. It is also used in dosimeters which used in measuring of ionizing radiation. Dysprosium iodide and bromide is used in metal-halide lamps.
What is dysprosium used for?
Some of the following are the uses and applications of dysprosium.
With vanadium and other elements, Dysprosium is used in laser components and commercial lighting.
It is in high demand for permanent magnets used in wind turbine generators and electric cars.
Dysprosium is used in Terfenol-D alloy which is used in high-precision liquid-fuel injectors and wide-band mechanical resonators.
It is also used in dosimeters which used in measuring ionizing radiation.
Dysprosium iodide and bromide is used in metal-halide lamps.
Who discovered dysprosium?
Dysprosium was discovered by French chemist Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1886. And was isolated in 1905 by Georges Urbain.
Where is dysprosium found?
Dysprosium is a rare earth element, It has an average estimated abundance of 5.2mg/kg in Earth's crust. It can be extracted from minerals along with other rare earth elements. Minerals that contain a concentration of Dysprosium are xenotime, fergusonite, gadolinite, euxenite, polycrase, blomstrandine, monazite and bastnäsite.
What is the symbol for dysprosium?
The symbol for dysprosium in the periodic table is ''Dy''.
