Samarium (Sm) Fun Facts

62 Sm
Superhero Identity

"The High-Temp Magnet, a hero whose magnetic power can withstand incredible heat."

The true essence of Samarium (Sm) on the molecular frontier.

Appearance

Samarium is a silvery-white, hard metal.

Everyday Connection

Samarium is found in high-temperature magnets used in precision-guided missiles.

In Pop Culture

Samarium�s radioactive isotopes are used in targeted cancer therapy.

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Did You Know?

1

Samarium-cobalt magnets were the first type of high-strength rare-earth magnet developed and are the second-strongest type after neodymium magnets.

2

A key advantage of samarium-cobalt magnets is that they can withstand much higher temperatures than neodymium magnets before losing their magnetic properties.

3

The radioactive isotope samarium-153 is used in a medicine that targets and kills cancer cells, particularly in bone cancer.

4

Like many lanthanides, it was discovered spectroscopically from the mineral samarskite, which is how it got its name.

5

It is used in control rods in some nuclear reactors to absorb stray neutrons.