150Sm

150Sm is an isotope of the chemical element samarium (Sm), with atomic number 62 and mass number 150. It contains 62 protons and 88 neutrons. 150Sm is one of the naturally occurring stable isotopes of samarium and contributes to the overall isotopic composition of natural samarium. Its natural abundance is smaller than some other isotopes, but it occurs in trace amounts alongside other stable isotopes such as 144Sm, 147Sm, 148Sm, 149Sm, 152Sm and 154Sm.

Production and occurrence: 150Sm can be formed in nuclear reactions, for example by neutron capture on 149Sm in a reactor or as a byproduct of irradiation of samarium targets in experimental settings. In nature, it exists as part of the mixture of stable isotopes in natural samarium.

Nuclear and chemical properties: As an even-even nucleus (both proton and neutron numbers are even), 150Sm is typically associated with a stable ground state. The isotope shares the chemical properties of samarium and behaves identically in chemical reactions, differing only in its nuclear mass and abundance.

Applications and significance: Because 150Sm is stable, it is not used as a radioactive tracer. Isotopic compositions of samarium, including 150Sm, are relevant in geochemical and cosmochemical studies for understanding isotopic ratios and planetary differentiation. In contrast, radiogenic dating with samarium relies on 147Sm decaying to 143Nd, not on 150Sm.

See also: Samarium, Isotopes of samarium, Sm–Nd dating.