Periodic  Table of the Elements
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HOLMIUM
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Atomic Number:

67

Atomic Symbol:

Ho

Atomic Weight:164.9304
Electron Configuration:

[Xe]6s24f11

Total Isotopes64
Total Isomers28
Radioactive Isotopes35
Stable Isotopes1
X-Ray Energies
47.53
54.00
LL5.94
6.71
Mz1.05
1.35

 View Nuclear Periodic Table 
 View Isotopic & Isomeric Data 

History

(L. Holmia, for Stockholm). The special absorption bands of holmium were noticed in 1878 by the Swiss chemists Delafontaine and Soret, who announced the existence of an "Element X." Cleve, of Sweden, later independently discovered the element while working on erbia earth. The element is named after cleve's native city. Holmia, the yellow oxide, was prepared by Homberg in 1911. Holmium occurs in gadolinite, monazite, and in other rare-earth minerals. It is commercially obtained from monazite, occurring in that mineral to the extent of about 0.05%. It has been isolated by the reduction of its anhydrous chloride or fluoride with calcium metal.

Properties

Element DisplaysPure holmium has a metallic to bright silver luster. It is relatively soft and malleable, and is stable in dry air at room temperature, but rapidly oxidizes in moist air and at elevated temperatures. The metal has unusual magnetic properties. Few uses have yet been found for the element. The element, as with other rare earths, seems to have a low acute toxic rating.

Cost

The price of 99+% holmium metal is about $10/g.


Sources: Los Alamos National Laboratory; CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics; American Chemical Society
Element image from www.element-collection.com used with permission
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