Chemical element · reference page

68Er

Erbium

Erbium is element 68 (Er), located in period 6, group — and the f block. At room temperature its reference phase is solid. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f12 6s2.

Atomic number68

Standard atomic weight167.259(3)

Group—

Period6

Blockf

Electron configuration[Xe] 4f12 6s2

Electronic structure

What controls its chemistry

The lanthanides are characterised by filling of the 4f subshell. Their chemistry is often dominated by the +3 oxidation state, while partially filled f orbitals give many members useful magnetic and optical properties.

Because the 4f electrons are relatively shielded, neighbouring lanthanides have very similar chemical behaviour. Separating them from one another is therefore much harder than separating elements from different main groups.

Chemical forms

Compounds, ions and materials

Lanthanides are commonly encountered as +3 ions in oxides, halides and coordination compounds. Their compounds often have closely related chemistry, while differences in f-electron structure create distinctive magnetic and luminescent behaviour.

Physical behaviour

State and phase changes

The reference phase at room temperature is solid. The listed density is 9.066 g/cm³. The melting point is 1 795 K (1 522 °C). The boiling point is 3 141 K (2 868 °C). Pressure, purity and crystal structure can shift measured physical properties.

Occurrence and applications

Where erbium is found and used

In practice, erbium is encountered in fibre optics, lasers and special glasses.

In practice

Examples of real uses

Fibre optics

Erbium is used in optical fibres or dopants that control transmission, amplification or infrared response.

Lasers

Erbium is used in laser media, optical components or wavelength-specific light generation.

Special glasses

Erbium is added to glass to modify refractive index, colour, thermal expansion, radiation response or chemical durability.

Periodic position

What its neighbours tell us

Erbium is in period 6. In the f-block sequence shown here, it appears between holmium and thulium. This sequence allows a direct comparison with the neighbouring f-block elements.

Reference data

Physical and atomic properties

Classificationlanthanide

Phase at room temperatureSolid

Electron shells2 · 8 · 18 · 30 · 8 · 2

Density9.066 g/cm³

Melting point1 795 K (1 522 °C)

Boiling point3 141 K (2 868 °C)

Pauling electronegativity1.24

First ionisation energy589.3 kJ/mol

Electron affinity30.1 kJ/mol

Values describe the element or neutral atom where applicable. Physical data can depend on allotrope, pressure and measurement conditions.

History

Discovery and identification

The discovery of erbium is associated with Carl Gustaf Mosander. Recognition of the element, isolation of a pure sample and assignment of its modern atomic number did not necessarily occur at the same time.

Isotopes and atomic weight

How isotope composition changes the numbers

The standard atomic weight is 167.259(3). This value refers to the isotopic composition of natural terrestrial material, not to the mass of one specific atom.

Erbium has at least one stable isotope. Different isotopes have the same number of protons and therefore the same element identity, but different neutron numbers and atomic masses.

Safety

Handling and exposure

The hazards associated with erbium depend on chemical form, dose and route of exposure. Pure erbium, its ions and its compounds can have very different biological and environmental effects, so safety data should be checked for the actual substance being handled.