Periodic table / Erbium

Overview

Erbium is a chemical element in the lanthanide series, with symbol Er and atomic number 68. A silvery-white solid metal when artificially isolated, natural erbium is always found in chemical combination with other elements on Earth. As such, it is a rare earth element which is associated with several other rare elements in the mineral gadolinite from Ytterby in Sweden, where yttrium, ytterbium, and terbium were discovered.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Erbium is [Xe] 4f12 6s2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 30, 8, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Erbium is classified as a lanthanide. It has an atomic mass of 167.259 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as silvery white.

Real-world uses of Erbium

Erbium, a lanthanide, is used in magnets, electronics, lighting, and other specialized high-tech applications.

Interesting facts about Erbium

• Erbium has the atomic number 68 and chemical symbol Er.
• It belongs to period 6, group 3 of the periodic table.
• Erbium was discovered by Carl Gustaf Mosander.

Explore Erbium interactively

Want to compare Erbium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Er to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.