Eu Europium
Element Information, Facts, Properties, Trends, Uses, Comparison with other elements

Europium is a chemical element with symbol Eu and atomic number 63. It was isolated in 1901 and is named after the continent of Europe. It is a moderately hard, silvery metal which readily oxidizes in air and water.
It belongs to group of the periodic table having trivial name .
Europium Facts
Read key information and facts about element Europium
Name | Europium |
Atomic Number | 63 |
Atomic Symbol | Eu |
Atomic Weight | 151.964 |
Phase | Solid |
Color | Silver |
Appearance | - |
Classification | Lanthanide |
Group in Periodic Table | - |
Group Name | |
Period in Periodic Table | period 6 |
Block in Periodic Table | f -block |
Electronic Configuration | [Xe] 4f7 6s2 |
Electronic Shell Structure (Electrons per shell) | 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2 |
Melting Point | 1095 K |
Boiling Point | 1800 K |
CAS Number | CAS7440-53-1 |
How to Locate Europium on Periodic Table
Periodic table is arranged by atomic number, number of protons in the nucleus which is same as number of electrons. The atomic number increases from left to right. Periodic table starts at top left ( Atomic number 1) and ends at bottom right (atomic number 118). Therefore you can directly look for atomic number 63 to find Europium on periodic table.
Another way to read periodic table and locate an element is by using group number (column) and period number (row). To locate Europium on periodic table look for cross section of group - and period 6 in the modern periodic table.
Europium History
The element Europium was discovered by E.-A. Demarçay in year 1896 in France. Europium was first isolated by E.-A. Demarçay in 1901. Europium derived its name from Europe.
Demarçay found spectral lines of a new element in Lecoq's samarium, and separated this element several years later.
Europium Presence: Abundance in Nature and Around Us
The table below shows the abundance of Europium in Universe, Sun, Meteorites, Earth's Crust, Oceans and Human Body.
ppb by weight (1ppb =10^-7 %) | ppb by atoms (1ppb =10^-7 %) | |
---|---|---|
Abundance in Universe | 0.5 | 0.004 |
Abundance in Sun | 0.5 | 0.004 |
Abundance in Meteorites | 60 | 8 |
Abundance in Earth's Crust | 1800 | 240 |
Abundance in Oceans | 0.00013 | 0.000005 |
Abundance in Humans | - | - |
Crystal Structure of Europium
The solid state structure of Europium is Body Centered Cubic.
The Crystal structure can be described in terms of its unit Cell. The unit Cells repeats itself in three dimensional space to form the structure.
Unit Cell Parameters
The unit cell is represented in terms of its lattice parameters, which are the lengths of the cell edges Lattice Constants (a, b and c)
a | b | c |
---|---|---|
458.1 pm | 458.1 pm | 458.1 pm |
and the angles between them Lattice Angles (alpha, beta and gamma).
alpha | beta | gamma |
---|---|---|
π/2 | π/2 | π/2 |
The positions of the atoms inside the unit cell are described by the set of atomic positions ( xi, yi, zi) measured from a reference lattice point.
The symmetry properties of the crystal are described by the concept of space groups. All possible symmetric arrangements of particles in three-dimensional space are described by the 230 space groups (219 distinct types, or 230 if chiral copies are considered distinct.
Space Group Name | Im_ 3m |
Space Group Number | 229 |
Crystal Structure | Body Centered Cubic |
Number of atoms per unit cell | 2 |

The number of atoms per unit cell in a simple cubic, face-centered cubic and body-centred cubic are 1,4,2 respectively.
Europium Atomic and Orbital Properties
Europium atoms have 63 electrons and the electronic shell structure is [2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2] with Atomic Term Symbol (Quantum Numbers) 8S7/2.
Atomic Number | 63 |
Number of Electrons (with no charge) | 63 |
Number of Protons | 63 |
Mass Number | 152 |
Number of Neutrons | 89 |
Shell structure (Electrons per energy level) | 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2 |
Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f7 6s2 |
Valence Electrons | 4f7 6s2 |
Valence (Valency) | 3 |
Main Oxidation States | 2, 3 |
Oxidation States | 0, 2, 3 |
Atomic Term Symbol (Quantum Numbers) | 8S7/2 |
Bohr Atomic Model of Europium - Electrons per energy level

n | s | p | d | f |
---|
Ground State Electronic Configuration of Europium - neutral Europium atom
Abbreviated electronic configuration of Europium
The ground state abbreviated electronic configuration of Neutral Europium atom is [Xe] 4f7 6s2. The portion of Europium configuration that is equivalent to the noble gas of the preceding period, is abbreviated as [Xe]. For atoms with many electrons, this notation can become lengthy and so an abbreviated notation is used. This is important as it is the Valence electrons 4f7 6s2, electrons in the outermost shell that determine the chemical properties of the element.
Unabbreviated electronic configuration of neutral Europium
Complete ground state electronic configuration for the Europium atom, Unabbreviated electronic configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f7 6s2
Electrons are filled in atomic orbitals as per the order determined by the Aufbau principle, Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund’s Rule.

Atomic Structure of Europium
Europium atomic radius is 231 pm, while it's covalent radius is - .
Atomic Radius Calculated | 231 pm (2.31 Å) |
Atomic Radius Empirical | 185 pm (1.85 Å) |
Atomic Volume | 28.979 cm3/mol |
Covalent Radius | - |
Van der Waals Radius | - |
Neutron Cross Section | 4450 |
Neutron Mass Absorption | 0.6 |
Atomic Spectrum of Europium
Europium Chemical Properties: Europium Ionization Energies and electron affinity
The electron affinity of Europium is 50 kJ/mol.
Valence | 3 |
Electronegativity | 1.2 |
ElectronAffinity | 50 kJ/mol |
Ionization Energy of Europium
Refer to table below for Ionization energies of Europium
Ionization energy number | Enthalpy - kJ/mol |
---|---|
1st | 547.1 |
2nd | 1085 |
3rd | 2404 |
4th | 4120 |
Europium Physical Properties
Refer to below table for Europium Physical Properties
Density | 5.244 g/cm3(when liquid at m.p density is $5.13 g/cm3) |
Molar Volume | 28.979 cm3/mol |
Elastic Properties
Young Modulus | 18 |
Shear Modulus | 7.9 GPa |
Bulk Modulus | 8.3 GPa |
Poisson Ratio | 0.15 |
Hardness of Europium - Tests to Measure of Hardness of Element
Mohs Hardness | - |
Vickers Hardness | 167 MPa |
Brinell Hardness | - |
Europium Electrical Properties
Europium is Conductor of electricity. Refer to table below for the Electrical properties ofEuropium
Electrical Conductivity | 1100000 S/m |
Resistivity | 9e-7 m Ω |
Superconducting Point | - |
Europium Heat and Conduction Properties
Thermal Conductivity | 14 W/(m K) |
Thermal Expansion | 0.000035 /K |
Europium Magnetic Properties
Magnetic Type | Paramagnetic |
Curie Point | - |
Mass Magnetic Susceptibility | 2.76e-7 m3/kg |
Molar Magnetic Susceptibility | 4.1942e-8 m3/mol |
Volume Magnetic Susceptibility | 0.0014473 |
Optical Properties of Europium
Refractive Index | - |
Acoustic Properties of Europium
Speed of Sound | - |
Europium Thermal Properties - Enthalpies and thermodynamics
Refer to table below for Thermal properties of Europium
Melting Point | 1095 K (821.85°C, 1511.3300000000002 °F) |
Boiling Point | 1800 K (1526.85°C, 2780.33 °F) |
Critical Temperature | - |
Superconducting Point | - |
Enthalpies of Europium
Heat of Fusion | 9.2 kJ/mol |
Heat of Vaporization | 175 kJ/mol |
Heat of Combustion | - |
Europium Isotopes - Nuclear Properties of Europium
Europium has 38 isotopes, with between 130 and 167 nucleons. Europium has 2 stable naturally occuring isotopes.
Isotopes of Europium - Naturally occurring stable Isotopes: 151Eu, 153Eu.
Isotope | Z | N | Isotope Mass | % Abundance | T half | Decay Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
130Eu | 63 | 67 | 130 | Synthetic | ||
131Eu | 63 | 68 | 131 | Synthetic | ||
132Eu | 63 | 69 | 132 | Synthetic | ||
133Eu | 63 | 70 | 133 | Synthetic | ||
134Eu | 63 | 71 | 134 | Synthetic | ||
135Eu | 63 | 72 | 135 | Synthetic | ||
136Eu | 63 | 73 | 136 | Synthetic | ||
137Eu | 63 | 74 | 137 | Synthetic | ||
138Eu | 63 | 75 | 138 | Synthetic | ||
139Eu | 63 | 76 | 139 | Synthetic | ||
140Eu | 63 | 77 | 140 | Synthetic | ||
141Eu | 63 | 78 | 141 | Synthetic | ||
142Eu | 63 | 79 | 142 | Synthetic | ||
143Eu | 63 | 80 | 143 | Synthetic | ||
144Eu | 63 | 81 | 144 | Synthetic | ||
145Eu | 63 | 82 | 145 | Synthetic | ||
146Eu | 63 | 83 | 146 | Synthetic | ||
147Eu | 63 | 84 | 147 | Synthetic | ||
148Eu | 63 | 85 | 148 | Synthetic | ||
149Eu | 63 | 86 | 149 | Synthetic | ||
150Eu | 63 | 87 | 150 | Synthetic | ||
151Eu | 63 | 88 | 151 | 47.81% | Stable | N/A |
152Eu | 63 | 89 | 152 | Synthetic | Stable | |
153Eu | 63 | 90 | 153 | 52.19% | Stable | N/A |
154Eu | 63 | 91 | 154 | Synthetic | ||
155Eu | 63 | 92 | 155 | Synthetic | ||
156Eu | 63 | 93 | 156 | Synthetic | ||
157Eu | 63 | 94 | 157 | Synthetic | ||
158Eu | 63 | 95 | 158 | Synthetic | ||
159Eu | 63 | 96 | 159 | Synthetic | ||
160Eu | 63 | 97 | 160 | Synthetic | ||
161Eu | 63 | 98 | 161 | Synthetic | ||
162Eu | 63 | 99 | 162 | Synthetic | ||
163Eu | 63 | 100 | 163 | Synthetic | ||
164Eu | 63 | 101 | 164 | Synthetic | ||
165Eu | 63 | 102 | 165 | Synthetic | ||
166Eu | 63 | 103 | 166 | Synthetic | ||
167Eu | 63 | 104 | 167 | Synthetic |
Regulatory and Health - Health and Safety Parameters and Guidelines
Database Search
List of unique identifiers to search the element in various chemical registry databases
Database | Identifier number |
---|---|
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) | CAS7440-53-1 |
RTECS Number | - |
CID Number | CID23981 |
Gmelin Number | - |
NSC Number | - |
Compare Europium with other elements
Compare Europium with all Group elements
Compare Europium with all Period 6 elements
Compare Europium with all Lanthanide elements
FAQs
What is the electronic configuration of Europium?
The electronic configuration of Europium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f7 6s2.
What is the abbreviated electronic configuration of Europium?
The abbreviated electronic configuration of Europium is [Xe] 4f7 6s2. To form abbreviated notation of electronic configuration, the completely filled subshells are replaced by the noble gas of the preceding period in square brackets.
What is the symbol of Europium?
Symbol of Europium is Eu. Europium is a chemical element with symbol Eu and atomic number 63.
What is the position of Europium in the Periodic Table?
Europium is a chemical element with the symbol Eu and atomic number 63. Europium is the 63 element on the periodic table. It is located in group null and period 6 in the modern periodic table.
What is the atomic number of Europium?
The atomic number of Europium is 63.
What is the color of Europium?
Europium is of Silver color.
Who discovered Europium?
The element Europium was discovered by E.-A. Demarçay in year 1896 in France. Europium was first isolated by E.-A. Demarçay in 1901.
How many valence electrons does a Europium atom have?
Europium has 3 valence electrons. Europium has 63 electrons out of which 3 valence electrons are present in the 4f7 6s2 outer orbitals of atom.
What is the melting Point of Europium?
Melting Point of Europium is 1095 K.
What is the boiling Point of Europium?
Boiling Point of Europium is 1800 K.
What is the melting Point of Europium in Kelvin?
Melting Point of Europium in Kelvin is 1095 K.
What is the boiling Point of Europium in Kelvin?
Boiling Point of Europium in Kelvin is 1800 K.
What is the electronic configuration of Europium 63?
The electronic configuration of Europium will be 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f7 6s2.
How do you write the electron configuration for Europium?
The electronic configuration of Europium will be 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6 4f7 6s2.