Dysprosium (Dy)

Dysprosium (Dy) is a lanthanide element, a member of the f-block elements in the periodic table. It is a rare-earth metal.

Atomic Number (Z): 66
- Indicates 66 protons in the nucleus.
Mass Number (Most Common Isotope, Dy-164): 164
- Number of neutrons = Mass Number - Atomic Number = 164 - 66 = 98 neutrons.
Number of Electrons: 66 (for a neutral atom).
Atomic Size (Metallic Radius): 178 pm (picometers).

Electronic Configuration: [Xe] 4f^10 6s^2
- This configuration indicates that after the stable noble gas core of Xenon ([Xe]), there are 10 electrons in the 4f subshell and 2 electrons in the 6s subshell.
Shell-wise Electron Distribution (Textual Representation):
- K-shell (n=1): 2 electrons (1s^2)
- L-shell (n=2): 8 electrons (2s^2 2p^6)
- M-shell (n=3): 18 electrons (3s^2 3p^6 3d^10)
- N-shell (n=4): 28 electrons (4s^2 4p^6 4d^10 4f^10)
- O-shell (n=5): 8 electrons (5s^2 5p^6)
- P-shell (n=6): 2 electrons (6s^2)

Ionization Enthalpy (kJ/mol):
- First Ionization Enthalpy: 573.0 kJ/mol (Energy required to remove the first electron).
- Second Ionization Enthalpy: 1130 kJ/mol (Energy required to remove the second electron).
- Third Ionization Enthalpy: 2200 kJ/mol (Energy required to remove the third electron).
- These values reflect the relatively low energy required to remove the outer s-electrons, typical for metals.
Electronegativity (Pauling Scale): 1.22
- This low value indicates Dysprosium’s metallic character and its tendency to lose electrons rather than attract them.
Electron Gain Enthalpy: Not precisely known for Dysprosium, but generally positive or negligibly small for metallic elements, indicating they do not readily accept electrons.
Atomic Radius: 178 pm
- This value is consistent with the general trend for lanthanides.

Dysprosium (Dy) - Atomic Structure & Chemical Properties