Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Dysprosium

Atomic number 66 means that every Dysprosium nucleus contains 66 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Dysprosium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 66 means that every Dysprosium nucleus contains 66 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Dysprosium.

Dysprosium (Dy) is chemical element 66. It belongs to the lanthanoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in magnets, lasers and nuclear reactors.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 66 means that every Dysprosium nucleus contains 66 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Dysprosium.

Keep exploring

→ Dysprosium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

66DyDysprosium
Dysprosium · Dy · Z = 66

Dysprosium (Dy) is chemical element 66. It belongs to the lanthanoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Dysprosium (Dy) is chemical element 66. It belongs to the lanthanoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in magnets, lasers and nuclear reactors.

What its position in the table tells us

Dysprosium sits in period 6 and the F block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.