Samarium Facts

The samarium element has atomic number 62 and is represented by the symbol 'Sm'. It is a metal with a bright luster and is rarely found in the earth's crust. This element falls in the category of lanthanides; chemical properties of Samarium and lanthanum are very much similar. Electronic configuration of Samarium is [Xe] 6s2 4f6, while the standard atomic weight is 150.36g·mol−1. This element stays in the solid state at room temperature and its melting point is 1962 °F. The facts presented in this article presents information pertaining to the history, chemical properties and commercial uses of this element. Let us have a look at the important facts about Samarium.

Facts about Samarium

The Samarium element facts mentioned below should make us aware of the different chemical properties, uses and related information. Some of these interesting facts about Samarium should help understand more about this element.

• The element, Samarium is named after Colonel Samarski, a mine official from Russia.
• In the periodic table, Samarium finds place in Group 3 elements. Amongst Group 3 elements, Samarium is located in 6th and 7th periods.
• One of the samarium facts is that the ignition of Samarium takes place at 150 °C. This chemical element is stored in mineral oil. However, storing the element in this kind of environment too results into oxidation. Result of oxidation is the formation of a grayish-yellow powder.
• One of the important properties of Samarium is that it reacts quickly with hot water; the reaction with cold water takes place in a slow manner. This is due to the electropositive nature of Samarium.
• The different compounds formed by Samarium are fluorides, chlorides, iodides, bromides, sulfides, oxides, tellurides and selenides. The oxidation state of +3 is of common occurrence in Samarium. The +2 oxidation state too is found; the SmI2 is the compound in which this state (+2 oxidation) can be found.
• Getting dissolved in dilute sulfuric acid quite readily, is one of the properties of Samarium. Solutions formed as a result of this are pale green in color.
• Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac discovered Samarium in the year 1853. A French chemist, Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran isolated Samarium in 1879; it was isolated from samarskite.
• It was until the year, 1950 that Samarium didn't have any commercial application. The ion-exchange separation technology used in the 1950s helped in using this element in its pure form.
• Samarium cannot be found in nature in its pure form. Apart from the above mentioned samarskite, bastnasite and monazite are the minerals in which Samarium can be found; the percentage of Samarium in monazite is 2.8%.
• The electrolysis process is commonly used in the extraction of Samarium. For the electrolysis process, a mixture (molten) of samarium (III) chloride and calcium chloride/sodium chloride is used.

Samarium Facts and Uses
The element, Samarium finds many applications in today's industrial world. This use of Samarium in carbon-arc lighting is quite common. This metal is also used in optical lasers. In the applications like lasers, Samarium is used as dopant. Neutron absorbers of nuclear reactors make use of Samarium. The most common use of Samarium is that in headphones.

The different facts about Samarium enlisted in this article include its chemical properties and other related facts. Information about where is Samarium found, history, etc. can also be obtained through facts about Samarium presented in the above paragraphs.