samarium

[suh-mair-ee-uhm]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a rare-earth metallic element discovered in samarskite. Sm; 150.35; 62; 7.49.

samarium

/ səˈmɛərɪəm /

noun

1. a silvery metallic element of the lanthanide series occurring chiefly in monazite and bastnaesite and used in carbon-arc lighting, as a doping agent in laser crystals, and as a neutron-absorber. Symbol: Sm; atomic no: 62; atomic wt: 150.36; valency: 2 or 3; relative density: 7.520; melting pt: 1074°C; boiling pt: 1794°C

samarium

1. A silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series that exists in several forms and has seven naturally occurring isotopes. It is used to make glass that absorbs infrared light and to absorb neutrons in the fuel rods of nuclear reactors. Atomic number 62; atomic weight 150.36; melting point 1,072°C; boiling point 1,791°C; specific gravity approximately 7.50; valence 2, 3.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of samarium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; samarskite, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of samarium¹

C19: New Latin, from _samarskite + _-ium

Example Sentences

Rare earths, like samarium and terbium, are critical to the production of technologies set to shape the world in the coming decades – including electric vehicles and highly advanced weapons systems.

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The 17 elements are: lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium.

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Defense Department to find better ways to procure samarium cobalt rare earth permanent magnets, which are often found in precision-guided missiles, smart bombs and military jets.

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China produces nearly two-thirds of the world’s samarium cobalt rare earth magnets, according to U.S. government estimates.

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The researchers put a thin film of the samarium hexaboride on top of another compound that, at low temperatures, becomes a superconductor—a material that can conduct electricity without resistance.

Read more on Scientific American