Is gadolinium a metal?

Yes. Gadolinium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.

How many protons does gadolinium have?

Gadolinium has 64 protons. Its atomic number is 64, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of gadolinium.

What group and period is gadolinium in?

Gadolinium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.

What is the atomic mass of gadolinium?

The atomic mass of gadolinium is 157.25 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 64

Gadolinium (Gd)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Gadolinium (Gd) is element 64 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 157.25 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 64
Symbol: Gd
Atomic mass: 157.25 u
Category: Lanthanides
Period: 6
Block: f-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f7 5s2 5p6 5d1 6s2
Shorthand configuration: [Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2
Oxidation states: +1, +2, +3

Physical properties

Melting point: 1,585 K (1,311.85 °C)
Boiling point: 3,546 K (3,272.85 °C)
Density: 7.895 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.2
Atomic radius: 233 pm
Covalent radius: 196 pm
First ionization energy: 593 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Gadolinium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Gd-158	157.92411	24.84%	Stable

Common uses

MRI contrast agents
Neutron capture therapy
Magnets
Nuclear reactors

Discovery

Year: 1880
Discovered by: Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Country: Switzerland

Frequently asked questions

Is gadolinium a metal?: Yes. Gadolinium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.
How many protons does gadolinium have?: Gadolinium has 64 protons. Its atomic number is 64, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of gadolinium.
What group and period is gadolinium in?: Gadolinium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.
What is the atomic mass of gadolinium?: The atomic mass of gadolinium is 157.25 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Gadolinium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.