Dysprosium (Dy): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Dysprosium (Dy): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f10 · f-block, lanthanide series · period 6 · Ar 162.5
Dysprosium data
- Atomic number
- 66
- Relative atomic mass
- 162.5
- Group
- – (lanthanide series)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f
- Category
- Lanthanide
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f10
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f10
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 2 (in the outer shell)
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.22
- First ionisation energy
- 5.939 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 229 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1412 °C
- Boiling point
- 2567 °C
- Density
- 8.55 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3
- Discovered
- 1886
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 28 · O 8 · P 2
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About dysprosium
Dysprosium is a chemical element with the symbol Dy and atomic number 66. It belongs to the lanthanide series in period 6 (f-block), usually shown below the main table. Dysprosium was first discovered in 1886. Dysprosium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 1412 °C and boiling at 2567 °C.
Dysprosium electron configuration
The electron configuration of dysprosium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f10, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f10. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 28, O = 8, P = 2. As a lanthanide, dysprosium fills the 4f subshell. Its outer 6s subshell holds 2 electrons; valence electrons for this series are not assigned by the usual group rule. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Dy3+ = [Xe] 4f9.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f10(66)
Uses of dysprosium
The main uses of dysprosium include an additive that keeps NdFeB magnets strong at high temperature, for example in electric-vehicle motors, and Terfenol-D.
Safety
As a solid metal, dysprosium is not especially hazardous. Fine powder can burn, and its compounds should be handled according to their SDS. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other lanthanides
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of dysprosium?
The electron configuration of dysprosium (Dy, atomic number 66) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f10, or [Xe] 6s2 4f10 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 28, 8, 2.
How many valence electrons does dysprosium have?
Dysprosium has 2 electrons in its outer shell. For lanthanides and actinides, valence electrons are not assigned by the usual group rule.
Which group and period is dysprosium in?
Dysprosium is in the lanthanide series, period 6, f-block.
What is the atomic mass of dysprosium?
The relative atomic mass of dysprosium is 162.5. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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