68Er167.26
Erbium
LanthanidesRare-earth metals used in strong magnets, phone screens and lasers.
[Xe] 4f¹² 6s²
- Atomic number
- 68
- Atomic mass
- 167.26
- Protons
- 68
- Neutrons
- 99 (most common)
- Electrons
- 68
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 30, 8, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Period 6, f-block
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byCarl Gustaf Mosander, 1843Carl Gustaf Mosander: 3 elements
Another element named after the village of Ytterby.
Did you know?
- Your internet traffic probably passes through erbium-boosted cables.
- It gives glass a pink colour.
Where it's found
- Rare-earth ores
What it's used for
- Boosting internet signals in fibre-optic cables
- Pink glass
- Skin lasers
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Erbium. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.