66DyDysprosium162.5001[Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s²
lanthanide

Dysprosium

Dysprosium is a chemical element with the symbol Dy and atomic number 66. It is a rare earth element with a metallic silver luster. Dysprosium is never found in nature as a free element, though it is found in various minerals, such as xenotime.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
4f10
6s2

54 is the [Xe] core total across five shells.

Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
66
Atomic mass
162.5001 u
Phase
Solid
Density
8.54 g/cm³
Melting point
1,680 K
Boiling point
2,840 K
First ionization energy
573 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
1.22
Electron affinity
33.96 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
27.7 J/(mol·K)
Period
6
Appearance
silvery white

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

Keep exploring

Explore the stories, imagery, and reference data in more depth. Properties with no value in the reference are marked unavailable.