What is "europium"

Europium \Eu*ro"pi*um\, n. [NL.; Europe + -ium, as in aluminium.] (Chem.) A metallic element of the rare-earth group (Lanthanide series), discovered spectroscopically by Demarcay in 1896. Symbol, Eu; atomic number 63; at. wt., 15

1. 965 (C=1

2. 011); valence = +2 or +

rare earth element, 1901, named by its discoverer, French chemist Eugène Demarçay (1852-1903) in 1896, from Europe + -ium.

n. A metallic chemical element (''symbol'' Eu) with an atomic number of 63.

n. a bivalent and trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group [syn: Eu, atomic number 63]

Europium is a chemical element with symbol Eu and atomic number 63. It was isolated in 1901 and is named after the continent of Europe. It is a moderately hard, silvery metal which readily oxidizes in air and water. Being a typical member of the lanthanide series, europium usually assumes the oxidation state +3, but the oxidation state +2 is also common: all europium compounds with oxidation state +2 are slightly reducing. Europium has no significant biological role and is relatively non-toxic compared to other heavy metals. Most applications of europium exploit the phosphorescence of europium compounds. Europium is one of the least abundant elements in the universe; only about % of all matter in the universe is europium.