Element 62
Samarium
Lanthanides
Samarium (Sm) is in the f-block of the periodic table — group 3, period 6.
Samarium is a chemical element with symbol Sm and atomic number 62.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 62
- Atomic mass
- 150.362 u
- Group / Period
- 3 / 6
- Block
- f-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 7.52 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1071.8 °C
- Boiling point
- 1899.8 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f6 6s2
Periodic table block
Samarium is in the f-block (group 3, period 6). Elements land in the f-block when their highest-energy electrons fill an f subshell — these are the lanthanides and actinides shown beneath the main table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Permanent magnets
- •Cancer treatment
- •Cold-resistant magnets
Discovery
Year: 1879
Discovered by: Lecoq de Boisbaudran
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Samarium?
Samarium has atomic number 62. Its symbol is Sm and its atomic mass is 150.362 u.
What category of element is Samarium?
Samarium is classified as lanthanides. It sits in group 3, period 6 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Samarium in?
Samarium is in the f-block (group 3, period 6). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the f subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Xe] 4f6 6s2.
What is Samarium used for?
Common uses of Samarium include: Permanent magnets, Cancer treatment, Cold-resistant magnets.
When was Samarium discovered?
Samarium was discovered in 1879 by Lecoq de Boisbaudran.
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