Erbium
By Theresa Mull, Pd. 3
Solid Erbium
Erbium Oxide
Erbium Jewelry
Background Information
Identifying Information
Mass Number: 167.26
Protons: 68
Neutrons: 99
Electrons: 68
Physical Properties
Atomic Mass: 167.259
Atomic Radius in picometers (pm): 226pm
Density: 9.066g/cc
Melting Point: 1497˚C (2727˚F)
Boiling Point: 2868˚C (5194˚F)
At room temperature Erbium is a solid
Appearance: bright, silvery, metallic; Erbium oxide is pink
Conductivity: is a metal, conductive
Malleability: high malleability (metal); combined with vanadium so make more shape-able
Hardness: Combined with vanadium to make it softer
Other physical properties: Erbium oxide is pink, Erbium as a solid is silver and shiny.
Chemical Properties
Reactivity: low reactivity, can be combined with other elements like vanadium to change physical properties
History of Erbium
Symbol: Er
Location on the Periodic Table
Application and Uses:
Modern Communication
Nuclear and Metallurgical
Glasswork/ Pottery/ Jewelry
Fun Facts: Name and Symbol
Other Fun Facts
- Erbium is slightly toxic, especially in its powdered state.
- Because of its pink color, it is used for jewelry, sunglasses and glassware/porcelain.
Video:
Isotopes or Compounds
There are no specific compounds or alloys of Erbium that have important uses.
Picture Citations
Erbium: www.molycorp.com
Erbium Oxide Powder: www.thinglink.com
Erbium Jewelry: www.reehandbook.com
Erbium Oxide: www.wikiwand.com
Periodic Table: www.knowledgedoor.com
Cell Phones: www.thegreenfamilia.com
Nuclear: www.chemicool.com
Glass: teachnuclear.ca
Sources Cited
“The Element Erbium.” It’s Elemental. Jefferson Lab. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. <http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele068.html>.
“Erbium.” Periodic Table. royal Society of Chemistry. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. <http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/68/erbium>.
“Erbium.” Periodic Table. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. <http://periodictable.com/Elements/068/index.html>.
“Erbium.” Periodic Table of Elements: LANL. Los Alamos National Laboratory. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. <http://periodic.lanl.gov/68.shtml>.
Gray, Theodore W. (2008). The Photographic Card Deck of the Elements.
Gray, Theodore W. (2009). The Elements: A visual exploration of every known atom in the universe. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.