Dysprosium (Dy): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Dysprosium (Dy) is element 66 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block). Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f10 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 162.5 u.
▶ Watch Dysprosium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableDysprosium at a glance
| Symbol | Dy |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 66 |
| Atomic mass | 162.5 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Group | f-block (no group number) |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f10 5s2 5p6 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f10 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.22 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Dysprosium on the periodic table?
Dysprosium is in period 6 of the f-block, the lanthanide row printed below the main table. It has 6 electron shells, and this row is where the 4f subshell fills.
How to work out the electron configuration of Dysprosium
Put 66 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f¹⁰ (66). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s².
How electronegative is Dysprosium?
Dysprosium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.22, ranking 77 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is low: it tends to give up electrons and form positive ions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Dysprosium?
The electron configuration of Dysprosium (Dy) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f10 5s2 5p6 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f10 6s2.
How many electrons does Dysprosium have in each shell?
Dysprosium has 66 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Dysprosium?
The standard atomic weight of Dysprosium is 162.5 u, so one mole of Dysprosium atoms has a mass of about 162.5 g.
Is Dysprosium a metal?
Yes. Dysprosium is a lanthanide.
Explore nearby elements
More lanthanides: Europium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium. See all elements on the periodic table.