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Understanding the element
Europium (Eu) is chemical element 63. 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 phosphors, security inks and lasers.
phosphorssecurity inkslasers
Standard atomic weight151.964(1)
What its position in the table tells us
Europium 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.
Worth remembering
Europium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Europium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses