Erbium

Erbium

Symbol	Er
Atomic Number	68
Atomic Mass	167.26 g.mol -1
Discovered by	Nobel Institute for Physics in 1957

Chemical Properties of Erbium

What is Erbium?

• Erbium is a chemical radioactive element present as the eleventh element in the lanthanide series of the periodic table. The pure form of the element is metal.
• Naturally, occurring Erbium is found in chemical combination with other naturally occurring elements. When it is artificially isolated its appearance is a silvery-white solid metal.

Uses of Erbium

• This metal is used to colour the lenses of glasses.
• It is also used in the control rods of nuclear reactors.
• It has a vital application in the production of metal alloys.
• Erbium ion’s unique wavelength aids laser surgery.

Properties of Erbium

• The pure form of Erbium metal is malleable.
• It is very stable and it does not oxidize quickly when it is exposed to air (when compared to other rare earth metals).
• It comprises properties that are similar to other rare earth materials or lanthanides.
• It is an interesting probe for a large variety of physical effects due to its unique properties.

Certain Facts About Erbium

• Although Erbium is considered as a rare metal, it is actually not since it is the forty-fifth most abundant element found in the earth’s crust.