Europium (Noun)
Meaning
A bivalent and trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Europium is a bivalent and trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group used in phosphors for television screens and fluorescent lamps.
- Europium, along with other rare earth elements, is extracted as a byproduct of refining certain minerals, primarily bastnäsite and monazite.
- The discovery of europium can be attributed to the German chemist Eugenio Segrè in 1939.
- Europium is highly reactive with oxygen and water and is therefore typically stored in a sealed container or in oil.
- The oxide of europium, Eu2O3, is utilized in the manufacture of red phosphors used in color television screens.