Element 61

Promethium (Pm)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Promethium (Pm) is element 61 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 145 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
61
Symbol
Pm
Atomic mass
145 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 4f5 5s2 5p6 6s2
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f5 6s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 23, 8, 2
Oxidation states
+2, +3

Physical properties

Melting point
1315 K
Boiling point
3273 K
Density
7.26 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.13
Atomic radius
205 pm
Covalent radius
199 pm
First ionization energy
540 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Pm-145144.91276Half-life 17.7 years

Common uses

  • Nuclear batteries
  • Luminous paint
  • Thickness gauges

Discovery

Year
1945
Discovered by
Jacob A. Marinsky, Lawrence E. Glendenin, Charles D. Coryell
Country
USA

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