About

Dysprosium is a rare-earth metal with a bright metallic silver luster. Its primary use is as an additive in neodymium magnets to improve their coercivity, helping them resist demagnetization at high temperatures. This is critical for the durability of magnets in electric vehicle motors and wind turbine generators. It is also used in control rods for nuclear reactors.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number66

Atomic Weight162.5 u

Neutrons (common)98

Electron Configuration[Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s²

Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s²

Electrons per Shell2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2

Electronegativity1.22

Electron Affinity33.96 kJ/mol

Oxidation States+4, +3, +2

Covalent Radius167 pm

Van der Waals Radius229 pm

Ionic Radius91.2 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group3

Period6

BlockF

Chemical SeriesLanthanoids

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid

Appearancesilvery white

Crystal Structurehcp

Magnetic Orderingparamagnetic

Speed of Sound2,710 m/s

Poisson Ratio0.247

Thermal Properties

Melting Point1,680 K

Boiling Point2,840 K

Triple Point1,680 K

Thermal Expansion0 1/K

Thermal Conductivity10.7 W/(m·K)

Specific Heat0.17 J/(g·K)

Molar Heat27.7 J/(mol·K)

Heat of Fusion11.06 kJ/mol

Heat of Vaporization280 kJ/mol

Abundance

In Earth's Crust5.2 ppm

In Ocean0 ppm

In Solar System0.001 ppm

In Universe0.002 ppm

Discovery

Discovered byLecoq de Boisbaudran

Discovery Year1,886

Occurrenceprimordial

CAS Number7429-91-6

Electron Configuration

Energy

↿⇂

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Isotopes of Dysprosium

Symbol ▲	Mass (u) ▲	Abundance ▲	Half-life ▲	Decay Mode ▲
¹⁵⁶Dy	155.924280	0.056%	Stable	Stable
¹⁵⁸Dy	157.924410	0.095%	Stable	Stable
¹⁶⁰Dy	159.925190	2.329%	Stable	Stable
¹⁶¹Dy	160.926930	18.889%	Stable	Stable
¹⁶²Dy	161.926800	25.475%	Stable	Stable
¹⁶³Dy	162.928730	24.896%	Stable	Stable
¹⁶⁴Dy	163.929170	28.26%	Stable	Stable

Interactive Visualization

Explore the 3D Bohr model of Dysprosium in our interactive viewer.

View 3D Model of Dysprosium