Europium (Eu): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Europium (Eu) is element 63 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block). Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f7 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 151.96 u.
▶ Watch Europium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableEuropium at a glance
| Symbol | Eu |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 63 |
| Atomic mass | 151.96 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 4f7 5s2 5p6 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f7 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.2 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Europium on the periodic table?
Europium 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 Europium
Put 63 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), 4f⁷ (63). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f⁷ 6s².
How electronegative is Europium?
Europium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.2, ranking 79 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 Europium?
The electron configuration of Europium (Eu) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f7 5s2 5p6 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f7 6s2.
How many electrons does Europium have in each shell?
Europium has 63 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 25, 8, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Europium?
The standard atomic weight of Europium is 151.96 u, so one mole of Europium atoms has a mass of about 151.96 g.
Is Europium a metal?
Yes. Europium is a lanthanide.
Explore nearby elements
More lanthanides: Neodymium, Promethium, Samarium, Gadolinium, Terbium, Dysprosium. See all elements on the periodic table.