Erbium

LANTHANOID · GROUP None · PERIOD 6
68
Er
Erbium
167.26

Atomic Data

Atomic Number68
SymbolEr
Atomic Weight167.26 u
Density (STP)9.066 g/cm³
Melting Point1528.85 °C (1802 K)
Boiling Point2867.85 °C (3141 K)
Electronegativity1.24 (Pauling)
Electron Config.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f12 5s2 5p6 6s2
Oxidation States+3
Phase at STPSolid
CategoryLanthanoid
Period / Group6 / None
CAS Number7440-52-0

Electron Configuration

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[Xe] 4f12 6s2

Shell n Subshell Electrons Cumulative
K11s22
L22s24
L22p610
M33s212
M33p618
M33d1028
N44s230
N44p636
N44d1046
N44f1258
O55s260
O55p666
P66s268
Total 68 68

Isotopes of Erbium

Erbium has six naturally occurring stable isotopes. The most abundant is ¹⁶⁶Er, comprising 33.61% of all naturally occurring Erbium.

Isotope Symbol Protons Neutrons Abundance Stability
Erbium-162¹⁶²Er68940.14Stable
Erbium-164¹⁶⁴Er68961.61Stable
Erbium-166¹⁶⁶Er689833.61Stable
Erbium-167¹⁶⁷Er689922.93Stable
Erbium-168¹⁶⁸Er6810026.78Stable
Erbium-170¹⁷⁰Er6810214.93Stable

Abundance & Occurrence

Erbium is present in Earth's crust at approximately 3.5 ppm by mass and at approximately 0.1 ppm by mass throughout the universe.

Earth's Crust (ppm by mass)

Erbium
3.5 ppm
Silicon (ref.)
277,000 ppm
Oxygen (ref.)
461,000 ppm

Universe (ppm by mass)

Erbium
0.1 ppm
Helium (ref.)
230,000 ppm
Hydrogen (ref.)
739,000 ppm

Discovery & History

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Safety & Handling

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Real-World Uses

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Downloadable Resources

Free periodic table reference sheets for classrooms, study sessions, and laboratory use.

Frequently Asked Questions

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