Element 60

Neodymium (Nd)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Neodymium (Nd) is element 60 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 144.24 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
60
Symbol
Nd
Atomic mass
144.24 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 4f4 5s2 5p6 6s2
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f4 6s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2
Oxidation states
+2, +3, +4

Physical properties

Melting point
1297 K
Boiling point
3347 K
Density
7.007 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.14
Atomic radius
206 pm
Covalent radius
201 pm
First ionization energy
533 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Nd-142141.9077327.15%Stable

Common uses

  • Powerful magnets
  • Lasers
  • Glass coloring
  • Wind turbines

Discovery

Year
1885
Discovered by
Carl Auer von Welsbach
Country
Austria

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