Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Samarium

Atomic number 62 means that every Samarium nucleus contains 62 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Samarium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 62 means that every Samarium nucleus contains 62 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Samarium.

Samarium (Sm) is chemical element 62. 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, nuclear reactors and medical applications.

See the atom

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

What this number means

Atomic number 62 means that every Samarium nucleus contains 62 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Samarium.

Keep exploring

→ Samarium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

62SmSamarium
Samarium · Sm · Z = 62

Samarium (Sm) is chemical element 62. 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

Samarium (Sm) is chemical element 62. 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, nuclear reactors and medical applications.

What its position in the table tells us

Samarium 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.