Holmium is a rare earth metal with the symbol Ho and atomic number 67. Its name comes from the word "Holmia," which is the Latin name for Stockholm, where it was first discovered. The spelling of "holmium" is pronounced /ˈhɒlmiəm/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This means that it is pronounced with a short "o" sound followed by a soft "l" sound and the stress on the second syllable. The correct spelling of holmium is important for scientists, chemists and other professionals who work with rare earth metals.
Holmium is a chemical element that belongs to the lanthanide series of the periodic table. It is represented by the symbol Ho and has an atomic number of 67. Holmium is a soft, silver-white metal that possesses a high magnetic susceptibility. It is one of the least abundant rare earth elements found in the Earth's crust, making up approximately 1.4 parts per million by mass. Holmium has several unique properties, making it useful in various applications.
In terms of its physical characteristics, holmium has a melting point of 1472 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 2695 degrees Celsius. Its atomic weight is 164.93032 grams per mole, and it has an atomic radius of approximately 176 picometers. Holmium is a paramagnetic element, meaning it is attracted to magnets and possesses magnetic behavior in the presence of a magnetic field.
One of the significant applications of holmium lies in its use as a component in solid-state lasers. When combined with other rare earth elements, holmium can generate laser light with specific wavelengths, typically in the infrared range. These lasers find applications in medical procedures, fiber-optic communications, and scientific research.
Additionally, holmium is used in certain metal alloys to improve their magnetic properties, such as in magnets used for electrical generators and motors. It also finds use in nuclear reactors as a neutron absorber due to its efficient capture of neutrons, helping to control the rate of nuclear fission.
A very rare element, symbol Ho, atomic weight 163.5.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "holmium" is derived from the Latin word "Holmia", which translates to "Stockholm" in English. It was named after the city of Stockholm in Sweden, as it was discovered and isolated in 1878 by the Swedish chemist Per Teodor Cleve while working in Stockholm.