Samarium
seh-MER-i-em
Samarium (Sm) is a silvery coloured metal that has the atomic number 62 in the periodic table. It is a Lanthanide metal. It has the symbol Sm.
Samarium was the first element to be named after a person. It was discovered by Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran in 1879 and takes its name from the Russian mining engineer Samarsky. Samarium is known to bond to alcohol molecules and has been proven to reduce its intoxicating effects. Samarium ignites readily in air at temperatures over 150°c and forms yellow coloured salts. Samarium has its main use in creating alloys with cobalt for headphones and small motors. Radioactive Samarium 153 is used in the treatment of cancers. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 1072°c and a boiling point of 1794°c.
FAQ's
Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran
1879
Uses
It is used in the electronics and ceramics industries. It is easily magnetized and very difficult to demagnetize. This suggests important future applications in solid-state and superconductor technologies.
Sources
Found with other rare earths in monazite sand. The sand is often 50% rare earths by weight and 2.8% samarium.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Sm
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