Atomic / phase data
Reference atomic and phase values are source-reviewed.
Material structure
The ordinary elemental structure is measured/reviewed; the viewer is a teaching representation.
Element vs material uses
Uses distinguish elemental metal from compounds, alloys, doped hosts or isotope-specific systems.
Geography
Discovery/supply context is selective and does not fabricate deposits, facilities or inventories.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Dysprosium (Dy)
Dysprosium is element 66, a lanthanide whose 4f¹⁰ configuration and strong magnetic anisotropy connect the periodic table to high-temperature permanent magnets, neutron-absorbing materials and specialty lighting.
Dysprosium atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Dysprosium: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does dysprosium have?
Dysprosium’s atomic number is 66, so every dysprosium atom has 66 protons, and a neutral atom also has 66 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, dysprosium-164, has 98 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for dysprosium?
The chemical symbol for dysprosium is Dy.
Is dysprosium a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Dysprosium is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is dysprosium in?
Dysprosium is a lanthanide, in period 6 (the f-block row shown below the main table) of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of dysprosium?
The ground-state electron configuration of dysprosium is [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s².
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
66 protons define dysprosium.
The ground-state configuration frames atomic and chemical behavior.
Periodic position organizes recurring chemistry and trends.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Phase claims preserve source-reviewed evidence and material context.
Dysprosium in its period and family
Dysprosium sits after terbium in the Period 6 lanthanides. Its 4f¹⁰6s² atom commonly forms Dy³⁺ and contributes strong magnetic anisotropy in engineered materials.
Dysprosium Visual Lab
Explore Dy across the teaching nucleus, isolated-atom orbitals, evidence-aware material structure and temperature/evidence views, then connect those models to uses, isotopes, search-led questions and source-backed context.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Dysprosium in one minute
Atomic number 66 means every dysprosium nucleus has 66 protons.
Neutral Dysprosium has the ground-state configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s².
The representative teaching isotope is ¹⁶⁴Dy.
Dysprosium’s best-known magnet role is as an addition to Nd-Fe-B materials; those magnets are not pure dysprosium.
The ordinary material reference is Hexagonal close-packed (HCP).
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 28 · 8 · 2 electrons
The displayed 4f_xyz orbital is one representative real f cubic harmonic. It is not a picture of the whole 4f subshell or the electronic bands in the bulk material.
Ordinary dysprosium metal is HCP. The viewer does not represent Nd-Fe-B-Dy magnet phases or dysprosium compounds, whose structures are different.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
The displayed 4f_xyz orbital is one representative real f cubic harmonic. It is not a picture of the whole 4f subshell or the electronic bands in the bulk material.
Where do I meet dysprosium?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Permanent magnets
Dy additions can improve resistance to demagnetization at elevated temperature in selected Nd-Fe-B magnets.
4f¹⁰ → Dy³⁺ → high-temperature magnet performance
Dysprosium’s magnetic value usually comes from Dy incorporated into intermetallic magnet phases; elemental Dy is not itself an Nd-Fe-B magnet.
4f¹⁰6s²
Open 4f shell.
Dysprosium in periodic context
Compare nearby or family-related elements without treating a trend as a substitute for element-specific evidence.
| Atomic number | 65 |
|---|---|
| Series | lanthanide |
| Atomic number | 66 |
|---|---|
| Series | lanthanide |
| Atomic number | 67 |
|---|---|
| Series | lanthanide |
Dysprosium properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 66 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 162.500 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s² | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 1.22 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁶⁴Dy | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Bright silvery lanthanide metal | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 8.55 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) | Ordinary dysprosium metal is HCP. The viewer does not represent Nd-Fe-B-Dy magnet phases or dysprosium compounds, whose structures are different. | Measured |
| Classification | Lanthanide | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | Ordinary dysprosium metal is HCP. The viewer does not represent Nd-Fe-B-Dy magnet phases or dysprosium compounds, whose structures are different. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 1685 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | 2840 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Phase-path context | At approximately standard pressure, dysprosium is treated as a solid below 1685 K, liquid between melting and approximately 2840 K, and gas above the boiling reference. The ordinary crystal label applies to the stated material reference; unmodeled solid allotropy is not fabricated. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | +3 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Dy³⁺ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Dysprosium sits after terbium in the Period 6 lanthanides. Its 4f¹⁰6s² atom commonly forms Dy³⁺ and contributes strong magnetic anisotropy in engineered materials. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁶⁴Dy | Most abundant natural isotope | Reference teaching isotope for this page. | Evaluated |
| Natural dysprosium | Multiple-isotope element | Several naturally occurring isotopes contribute to the atomic weight. | Evaluated |
| Radioisotopes | Artificial isotopes | Used mainly in research and isotope-specific contexts. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁶⁴Dy · 66 protons + 98 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page evidence note | Atomic identity and reference values are source-reviewed. Material viewers are teaching representations, not crystallographic refinements. Search demand shapes headings and FAQs but never overrides measured/evaluated evidence or element-versus-compound distinctions. | Evidence summary for this guide | Reviewed |
| Structure evidence | Ordinary dysprosium metal is HCP. The viewer does not represent Nd-Fe-B-Dy magnet phases or dysprosium compounds, whose structures are different. | Measured structure, labelled schematic, prediction or explicit unknown as applicable. | Reviewed |
| Map evidence rule | Real pins are reviewed examples; conceptual layers are used when pins would mislead. | Geography Explorer 2.0 | Reviewed |
| Source set | 3 primary/reference links listed below | Open the Sources section for the actual references. | Reviewed |
Is Dysprosium a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
At approximately standard pressure, dysprosium is treated as a solid below 1685 K, liquid between melting and approximately 2840 K, and gas above the boiling reference. The ordinary crystal label applies to the stated material reference; unmodeled solid allotropy is not fabricated.
Where on Earth is Dysprosium found or produced?
Who discovered Dysprosium, and when?
Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran separated dysprosium from holmium-rich rare-earth material.
The name comes from Greek “dysprositos,” meaning hard to get at, reflecting difficult separation.
High-purity rare-earth separation enabled detailed magnetic and neutron-property studies.
Dy is a strategic specialty addition in high-performance magnet and nuclear-material systems.
From source material to Dysprosium applications: high-level material path
Dysprosium is obtained from mineral or metallurgical feedstocks in which it is chemically associated with other elements rather than mined as abundant native metal.
Industrial separation and refining produce element-specific compounds or metal feedstock; this guide does not provide operational extraction recipes.
The refined material is converted into the particular alloy, compound, doped host or component required by the application.
Recycling and recovery depend on the host product, concentration and economics; application materials must not be confused with pure element.
What is dysprosium used for?
High-temperature magnets
Dy additions help some Nd-Fe-B magnets retain coercivity at elevated temperature.
Neutron absorbers
Dy-containing materials are used where high neutron absorption is valuable.
Lighting
Dysprosium compounds are used in selected high-intensity lamp chemistries.
Magnetostriction
Dy is a component of magnetostrictive Tb-Dy-Fe intermetallics.
Dysprosium isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁶⁴Dy
Most abundant natural isotopeReference teaching isotope for this page.
Natural dysprosium
Multiple-isotope elementSeveral naturally occurring isotopes contribute to the atomic weight.
Radioisotopes
Artificial isotopesUsed mainly in research and isotope-specific contexts.
Five-question Dysprosium check
What is Dysprosium’s atomic number?
Which classification best fits Dysprosium?
What is the representative teaching isotope?
Which statement respects the material evidence?
Which rule should guide real-world uses?
Dysprosium questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is dysprosium?
Short answer: Dysprosium is chemical element 66, symbol Dy, a bright silvery lanthanide metal.
Atomic number 66 means every dysprosium nucleus contains 66 protons. In the periodic table, Dysprosium is classified here as a lanthanide in Period 6 and Group Lanthanide. Dysprosium sits after terbium in the Period 6 lanthanides. Its 4f¹⁰6s² atom commonly forms Dy³⁺ and contributes strong magnetic anisotropy in engineered materials.
Key point: Dy is element 66; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is dysprosium used for?
Short answer: It is used in high-performance magnet alloys, neutron-absorbing materials, metal-halide lamps and magnetostrictive alloys.
High-temperature magnets: Dy additions help some Nd-Fe-B magnets retain coercivity at elevated temperature. Neutron absorbers: Dy-containing materials are used where high neutron absorption is valuable. Dysprosium’s best-known magnet role is as an addition to Nd-Fe-B materials; those magnets are not pure dysprosium. The metal is bright silvery, while its magnetic and optical applications depend on composition and chemical form.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Where is dysprosium found?
Short answer: It occurs mixed with other rare earths in minerals such as monazite, bastnäsite and xenotime and is separated during rare-earth processing.
Dysprosium is obtained from mineral or metallurgical feedstocks in which it is chemically associated with other elements rather than mined as abundant native metal. 1886 Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran separated dysprosium from holmium-rich rare-earth material.
Key point: Natural occurrence, resources, production and recycling are different geography questions.
Who discovered dysprosium?
Short answer: Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran identified dysprosium in 1886.
In 1886, Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran separated dysprosium from holmium-rich rare-earth material. The name comes from Greek “dysprositos,” meaning hard to get at, reflecting difficult separation.
Key point: Discovery credit follows the historical evidence and accepted attribution, not just the earliest claim.
Is dysprosium a metal?
Short answer: Yes. It is a lanthanide metal, not a nonmetal or metalloid.
This guide classifies Dysprosium as a lanthanide. Its periodic position is Period 6, f-block, Group Lanthanide. Dysprosium sits after terbium in the Period 6 lanthanides. Its 4f¹⁰6s² atom commonly forms Dy³⁺ and contributes strong magnetic anisotropy in engineered materials.
Key point: Periodic-table classification describes recurring atomic/chemical behavior; it does not make every element in a column physically identical.
What does dysprosium look like?
Short answer: Fresh elemental dysprosium is a bright silvery metal.
The ordinary elemental-material description used here is: Bright silvery lanthanide metal. Ordinary dysprosium metal is HCP. The viewer does not represent Nd-Fe-B-Dy magnet phases or dysprosium compounds, whose structures are different.
Key point: Elemental appearance can differ from the colors of its ions, compounds, oxide films or host materials.
How many valence electrons does dysprosium have?
Short answer: For lanthanides the useful valence picture depends on chemistry; the ground state is [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s² and Dy³⁺ is the dominant ion.
The neutral-atom ground-state reference used on this page is [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s². This is an isolated-atom reference: bonding and ion formation can change which outer electrons are present or chemically active. The listed common oxidation-state context is +3, which helps connect the atomic configuration to ordinary chemistry without treating electron counting as a single universal rule.
Key point: Electron configuration is a ground-state atomic reference, not a literal picture of every compound.
How do you pronounce dysprosium?
Short answer: A common pronunciation is dis-PROH-zee-um.
Pronunciation is a speaking aid; in chemical notation the element is identified unambiguously by the symbol Dy and atomic number 66. That distinction matters when element names are unfamiliar or similarly spelled.
Key point: Say the name as shown, but use Dy and atomic number 66 for unambiguous chemical identity.
Scientific sources for Dysprosium
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Dysprosium
- NIST - Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- IUPAC - Periodic Table of Elements
Questions to ask next about Dysprosium
A good element lesson should lead to the next useful question, not end after a list of facts.
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