Europium (Eu)
Lanthanide
Europium is the rare earth that made colour television possible: its compounds glow brilliant red and blue in phosphors. Euro banknotes fluoresce under UV light thanks to europium anti-counterfeiting inks.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 63 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 151.964 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7 |
| Noble gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f7 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | +3, +2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.2 |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | 198 pm |
| First ionization energy | 547.1 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 11.2 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 5.264 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 825.85 °C (1099 K) |
| Boiling point | 1528.8 °C (1802 K) |
| Appearance | Not available |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | Occurs naturally |
Electron configuration of europium
Europium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7, usually shortened to [Xe] 4f7 6s2. Its electrons occupy 6 shells (2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2), placing it in period 6 of the f-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of europium
- Red and blue phosphors in displays and LED lighting
- Anti-counterfeiting inks on banknotes
- Fluorescent lamp coatings
Biological role: None known.
Occurrence: One of the rarer rare earths; from bastnäsite and monazite.
Common compounds of europium
Eu2O3
Europium(III) oxide
History and discovery
Discovered: 1901 — Eugène-Anatole Demarçay. Name origin: Named after the continent of Europe.
Eugène-Anatole Demarçay isolated europium in 1901 after years of spectroscopic detective work.
Safety notes
Low toxicity; the metal reacts quickly with air and water.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Europium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Europium?
2. What is the atomic number of Europium?
3. Which category does Europium belong to?
4. What is the state of Europium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Europium in?
Europium FAQs
What is the atomic number of europium?
Europium's atomic number is 63 — every europium atom has 63 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for europium?
Eu. Named after the continent of Europe.
Is europium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Europium is classified as a lanthanide.
What state is europium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, europium is a solid. It melts at 825.85 °C.
What is europium used for?
Key uses include: red and blue phosphors in displays and led lighting; anti-counterfeiting inks on banknotes; fluorescent lamp coatings.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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