Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Dy |
| Atomic Number | 66 |
| Atomic Mass | 162.50 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 3 |
| Block | f |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁰ 6s² |
History and Discovery
Discovered by: Paul Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran Year of Discovery: 1886 Location: Paris, France
Etymology
From the Greek "dysprositos" meaning "hard to get at."
Applications and Uses
- NdFeB permanent magnets (with neodymium)
- Electric vehicle motors
- Wind turbine generators
- Nuclear reactor control rods
- Data storage devices
- Lasers
Interesting Facts
- Critical element for high-performance magnets
- Allows NdFeB magnets to work at higher temperatures
- Highly magnetic at low temperatures
- Strategic material for green energy technology
- Name reflects the difficulty of isolating it