Is dysprosium a metal?

Yes. Dysprosium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.

How many protons does dysprosium have?

Dysprosium has 66 protons. Its atomic number is 66, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of dysprosium.

What group and period is dysprosium in?

Dysprosium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.

What is the atomic mass of dysprosium?

The atomic mass of dysprosium is 162.5 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 66

Dysprosium (Dy)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Dysprosium (Dy) is element 66 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 162.5 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 66
Symbol: Dy
Atomic mass: 162.5 u
Category: Lanthanides
Period: 6
Block: f-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f10 5s2 5p6 6s2
Shorthand configuration: [Xe] 4f10 6s2
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2
Oxidation states: +2, +3, +4

Physical properties

Melting point: 1,680 K (1,406.85 °C)
Boiling point: 2,840 K (2,566.85 °C)
Density: 8.55 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.22
Atomic radius: 228 pm
Covalent radius: 192 pm
First ionization energy: 573 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Dysprosium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Dy-164	163.92918	28.18%	Stable

Common uses

Magnets
Lasers
Nuclear reactors
Data storage

Discovery

Year: 1886
Discovered by: Paul Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran
Country: France

Frequently asked questions

Is dysprosium a metal?: Yes. Dysprosium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.
How many protons does dysprosium have?: Dysprosium has 66 protons. Its atomic number is 66, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of dysprosium.
What group and period is dysprosium in?: Dysprosium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.
What is the atomic mass of dysprosium?: The atomic mass of dysprosium is 162.5 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Dysprosium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.