Samarium154

Samarium-154 (Sm-154) is a stable isotope of the chemical element samarium, which is a member of the lanthanide series. It has an atomic number of 62 and a mass number of 154. As a stable isotope, Samarium-154 does not undergo radioactive decay, making it relatively long-lived within natural samarium samples.

Samarium-154 accounts for approximately 22.7% of natural samarium, making it one of the more abundant isotopes of the element. Its stability stems from a balanced nuclear configuration, with 62 protons and 92 neutrons in its nucleus. The isotope is primarily produced naturally through the isotopic composition of samarium found in Earth's crust.

In scientific applications, Sm-154 is significant due to its role in isotope geochemistry, nuclear geology, and in the calibration of mass spectrometers. Its stable nature allows researchers to use it as a reference isotope in various analytical techniques to study geological and planetary processes.

Samarium isotopes, including Sm-154, are also studied in the context of nuclear physics to understand nuclear structure and stability. While Sm-154 is stable, other isotopes of samarium are radioactive and have different half-lives and decay modes.

The physical properties of samarium, and by extension its isotopes, include a silvery-white appearance, typical of lanthanides, and a high melting point. Its chemical properties are similarly characteristic, with a strong affinity for oxygen and the formation of various oxides and compounds.

Overall, Samarium-154 is an important stable isotope within the field of geochemistry and materials science, contributing to the understanding of isotope distributions and nuclear stability in lanthanide elements.