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40 Facts About Samarium

Shela Louden

Written by Shela Louden

Modified & Updated: 23 Sep 2024

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Source: Luciteria.com

What is Samarium? Samarium, a rare earth element, holds the atomic number 62 on the periodic table. Named after the mineral samarskite, it boasts a silvery-white appearance. Why is Samarium important? This element plays a crucial role in various industries. From electronics to nuclear reactors, its applications are vast. Did you know? Samarium-cobalt magnets are among the strongest permanent magnets available. Where is it found? Mainly sourced from minerals like monazite and bastnäsite, samarium is extracted through complex processes. How is it used? Beyond magnets, it’s used in cancer treatment, infrared lasers, and even in glass manufacturing. Ready to learn more? Dive into these 40 fascinating facts about samarium!

Key Takeaways:

  • Samarium, a rare earth metal, has unique properties and diverse uses, from strong magnets to cancer treatment. It was the first element named after a person and has interesting applications in technology and medicine.
  • Despite its low abundance, samarium plays a significant role in various industries, including electronics, nuclear reactors, and infrared-absorbing glass. It is also used in cancer treatment and has fascinating properties for research in superconductivity.
Table of Contents
01What is Samarium?
02Physical and Chemical Properties
03Uses of Samarium
04Samarium in Medicine
05Occurrence and Extraction
06Environmental and Safety Aspects
07Fun and Lesser-Known Facts
08Samarium's Fascinating World

What is Samarium?

Samarium is a fascinating element with a variety of uses and interesting properties. Let's dive into some intriguing facts about this rare earth metal.

  1. Samarium is a chemical element with the symbol Sm and atomic number 62.

  2. It belongs to the lanthanide series on the periodic table.

  3. Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered samarium in 1879.

  4. The element is named after the mineral samarskite, which in turn was named after the Russian mine official Vasily Samarsky-Bykhovets.

  5. Samarium is a silvery-white metal that tarnishes slowly in air.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Samarium has unique physical and chemical properties that make it useful in various applications.

  1. It has a melting point of 1,072°C (1,962°F).

  2. The boiling point of samarium is 1,791°C (3,256°F).

  3. Samarium has a density of 7.52 grams per cubic centimeter.

  4. It is relatively hard and brittle.

  5. Samarium is paramagnetic at room temperature, meaning it is weakly attracted by a magnetic field.

Uses of Samarium

Samarium has several important uses in modern technology and industry.

  1. Samarium-cobalt magnets are one of the strongest types of permanent magnets available.

  2. These magnets are used in headphones, guitar pickups, and small motors.

  3. Samarium oxide is used in optical glass to absorb infrared light.

  4. It is also used in catalysts for the dehydration and dehydrogenation of ethanol.

  5. Samarium is used in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber.

Samarium in Medicine

Samarium has applications in the medical field, particularly in cancer treatment.

  1. Samarium-153 is a radioactive isotope used in radiotherapy to treat bone cancer.

  2. It helps relieve pain in patients with bone metastases.

  3. Samarium-153 is administered in the form of samarium lexidronam.

  4. This treatment targets cancerous bone tissue while sparing healthy tissue.

  5. Samarium-153 has a half-life of 46.3 hours.

Occurrence and Extraction

Samarium is not found freely in nature but is extracted from various minerals.

  1. It is primarily obtained from monazite and bastnäsite ores.

  2. China, USA, India, and Brazil are major producers of samarium.

  3. The element is extracted through ion exchange and solvent extraction techniques.

  4. Samarium is often found in association with other rare earth elements.

  5. The global production of samarium is relatively small compared to other elements.

Environmental and Safety Aspects

Handling samarium requires certain precautions due to its chemical properties.

  1. Samarium compounds are generally considered to have low toxicity.

  2. However, inhalation of samarium dust can cause lung irritation.

  3. Samarium does not play a known biological role in humans.

  4. It is not considered a major environmental pollutant.

  5. Proper storage and handling are necessary to prevent oxidation and corrosion.

Fun and Lesser-Known Facts

Here are some fun and lesser-known facts about samarium that might surprise you.

  1. Samarium was the first element to be named after a person.

  2. It is used in carbon-arc lighting for the motion picture industry.

  3. Samarium can be used to create infrared-absorbing glass.

  4. It is also used in phosphors for color television tubes.

  5. Samarium has been used in research to study superconductivity.

  6. The element can form alloys with other metals to improve their strength and durability.

  7. Samarium is used in electronics for capacitors and resistors.

  8. It can be used to dope calcium fluoride crystals for use in optical lasers.

  9. Samarium is also used in ceramics to improve their thermal stability.

  10. The element has a relatively low abundance in the Earth's crust, estimated at 0.0006% by weight.

Samarium's Fascinating World

Samarium, a rare earth element, packs a punch in various fields. From nuclear reactors to cancer treatments, its applications are vast and impactful. This silvery metal, discovered in 1879, has a unique ability to absorb neutrons, making it crucial in nuclear technology. Its magnetic properties are harnessed in permanent magnets, which are essential for everything from headphones to electric vehicles.

In medicine, samarium isotopes help treat bone cancer, providing relief to patients worldwide. Its role in electronics can't be overlooked either, as it improves the efficiency of capacitors and other components. Despite being relatively unknown, samarium's contributions to technology and health are undeniable.

Understanding samarium's diverse uses highlights the importance of rare earth elements in modern life. Next time you use a gadget or hear about cancer treatments, remember the silent hero, samarium, working behind the scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is samarium?
Samarium is a chemical element with the symbol Sm and atomic number 62. Part of the lanthanide series on the periodic table, this silvery metal is known for its moderate hardness and stable physical properties at room temperature.
Where can you find samarium?
Mostly, samarium is extracted from minerals like monazite and bastnäsite. These minerals contain small amounts of rare earth elements, including samarium, and are mined in various parts of the world, such as China, the United States, Brazil, India, and Australia.
Why is samarium important in technology?
Samarium plays a crucial role in modern technology. Its most notable use is in samarium-cobalt magnets, which are incredibly strong permanent magnets. These magnets are essential in various applications, from electronics and wind turbines to headphones and precision-guided weapons.
Can samarium be dangerous?
In general, samarium is not considered highly toxic, but safety precautions are necessary when handling it, especially in powder form, as it can pose a fire and explosion hazard. Long-term exposure or ingestion should be avoided to prevent potential health risks.
How was samarium discovered?
French chemist Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered samarium in 1879. He identified it through its sharp absorption lines in didymium, a substance previously thought to be an element but later found to be a mixture of several rare earth elements.
What are some unusual uses of samarium?
Beyond magnets, samarium has some pretty unique applications. For instance, it's used in cancer treatments, specifically in samarium-153 lexidronam, which helps relieve pain in cancer patients with bone metastases. Also, its compounds can be used as catalysts in organic chemistry reactions.
How does samarium react with other elements?
Samarium reacts slowly with cold water but more quickly with hot water, forming hydroxides and releasing hydrogen gas. It also reacts with all the halogens, forming trihalides. When heated in air, samarium forms an oxide layer.
Is samarium rare?
While samarium is considered a rare earth element, it's not as rare as the name might suggest. It's actually more abundant in the Earth's crust than elements like tin or lead. However, its dispersion means it's rarely found in concentrated amounts, making extraction and refinement processes complex and costly.

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