Lutetium (Lu)
"Meet the 'Precision Powerhouse,' Lutetium! This super-dense, super-stable element is the ultimate refiner, making sure everything it touches works with incredible accuracy and efficiency."
A memorable persona to anchor Lu in your mind.
9.841
Grams per cm³
1663
Celsius (°C)
221
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Ever seen a super-bright, energy-efficient LED light? Lutetium might be helping it shine with extreme precision!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1907
Discovered By
Georges Urbain & Carl Auer von Welsbach
Origin of Name
"The name derives from the Romans'' name for Paris, ''Lutetia''."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
174.967 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
3402°C
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f145d16s2
1st Ionization Energy
5.426 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A gleaming, silvery-white metal that looks tough and ready for action."
Did You Know?
Lutetium was one of the very LAST naturally occurring elements on Earth to be discovered, finally showing its face in 1907 – talk about making a grand entrance!
Its name comes from 'Lutetia,' the ancient Roman name for Paris, France – giving this element a touch of historic Parisian flair!
Lutetium is the *final* stop on the Lanthanide Series express train, making it the heaviest and densest element in that fascinating group!
Pound for pound, Lutetium is seriously dense! Only a handful of other elements (like gold or lead) are heavier, making it surprisingly hefty.