Erbium

Atomic Number: 68
Symbol: Er
Atomic Mass: 167.26 u
Number of Neutrons: 99
Melting Point: 1529°C
Boiling Point: 2867°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.18.30.8.2
Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹² 6s²

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Erbium is the 68th element in the periodic table and it is part of the lanthanide series. It is a silvery-white solid metal and is always found in chemical combination with other elements. Erbium is good at obsorbing neutrons so it has uses in neuclear reactors. This element is one of the more abundant rare-earth elements. It is mostly mined in the US and China. Erbium is slightly toxic if ingested, but all of erbium's isotopes are non-toxic. When erbium is in dust form it can create a fire and an explosion which can be dangerous. In 1842, Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander discovered erbium. He seperated three compounds found in the mineral gadolinite that he called yttria, erbia and terbia. Erbia meaning erbium.

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