Samarium, Sm\text{Sm}Sm, is a lanthanide metal used in the manufacture of high-strength permanent magnets and in specialty glass.
Samarium can be obtained by heating its oxide with calcium, Ca\text{Ca}Ca.
Sm2O3+3Ca→2Sm+3CaO \text{Sm}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{Ca} \rightarrow 2\text{Sm} + 3\text{CaO} Sm2O3+3Ca→2Sm+3CaOThe table shows the melting points of the substances involved in this reaction.
| Substance | Samarium | Samarium oxide | Calcium | Calcium oxide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point in ∘C{^\circ}\text{C}∘C | 1072 | 2335 | 842 | 2572 |
The operating temperature for this reduction reaction is 1000∘C1000^\circ\text{C}1000∘C.
Explain which substance in the table could exist as a liquid at this temperature.
Samarium oxide neutralises hydrochloric acid to form samarium chloride, SmCl3\text{SmCl}_3SmCl3, and water.
Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.
This diagram shows the arrangement of the particles in metallic samarium.
Explain why samarium is malleable and is a good conductor of electricity.
