Samarium facts for kids
Samarium is a fascinating chemical element! It has the symbol Sm on the periodic table. Its atomic number is 62, which means every samarium atom has 62 tiny particles called protons in its center. Samarium is a silvery-white metal that is part of a special group of elements called lanthanides.
| Periodic table | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | He | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cs | Ba | La | Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn | ||||||||||
| Fr | Ra | Ac | Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Uut | Fl | Uup | Lv | Uus | Uuo | ||||||||||
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Contents
What is Samarium Like?
Samarium is a soft metal that looks shiny and silvery. It can be easily shaped and is quite strong. Like many metals, it reacts with air and water, so it's often stored in a special way to keep it from changing. It's also a good conductor of electricity.
Where Does Samarium Come From?
Samarium is not found by itself in nature. Instead, it's usually found mixed with other elements in certain minerals. One important mineral where samarium is found is called Samarskite. This mineral was actually named after a Russian mining engineer, Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets, and that's where samarium got its name! Samarium is not very common, but it can be found in small amounts in many places around the world.
Who Discovered Samarium?
A French scientist named Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered samarium in 1879. He found it by carefully studying a mineral called samarskite. Scientists use special methods to separate elements from minerals, and that's how he was able to identify samarium as a new element.
How is Samarium Used?
Samarium might not be as famous as gold or iron, but it's very useful in many modern technologies!
Strong Magnets
One of the most important uses for samarium is in making very strong magnets. These are called samarium-cobalt magnets. They are special because they can stay magnetic even at very high temperatures. This makes them perfect for things like:
- Motors in electric cars
- Headphones
- Small electronic devices
- Some types of sensors
Medical Uses
Samarium also has some important uses in medicine. A special form of samarium, called samarium-153, is used in treatments for certain types of cancer. It helps to relieve pain in patients with bone cancer.
Nuclear Reactors
Because samarium can absorb tiny particles called neutrons, it's used in nuclear reactors. It helps to control the nuclear reaction, making sure it happens safely and steadily.
Other Uses
- It can be used as a catalyst, which is something that helps chemical reactions happen faster.
- Samarium is also used in some special types of glass that can absorb infrared light.
- It's used in some types of lasers.
Images for kids
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Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, the discoverer of samarium
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Samarskite
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Barbier reaction using SmI
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See also
In Spanish: Samario para niños
