Gd
Gadolinium
Element 64 · Lanthanide
Gadolinium (Gd)
Gadolinium is a silvery rare-earth metal that is magnetic just below room temperature. Its compounds enhance MRI scans.
- Lanthanide
- Period 6
- f-block series
- f-block
- solid at room temperature
Key properties
- Atomic mass
- 157.25
- u
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2
- Melting point
- 1,312.9 °C
- 1,586 K
- Boiling point
- 3,272.9 °C
- 3,546 K
- Density
- 7.9 g/cm³
- Electronegativity
- 1.2
- Pauling
- Atomic radius
- 237 pm
- van der Waals
- 1st ionisation energy
- 6.15 eV
Compare with every element:Electronegativity chartAtomic radius chartIonisation energy chartDensity chart of the elementsMelting point chartElectron configuration chart
Did you know?
Notable facts about gadolinium
- 01
Gadolinium is magnetic below about 20 °C — chill it and a magnet grabs it, warm it in your hand and it lets go.
- 02
It has the highest neutron capture cross-section of any stable element.
- 03
Gadolinium contrast agents are used in millions of MRI scans each year.
Applications
What is gadolinium used for?
- MRI contrast agents
- Neutron shielding
- Magnetic refrigeration research
- Phosphors
History
Discovery & name origin
Discovered by
Year
Where
Switzerland
Name origin
From the mineral gadolinite, named after Finnish chemist Johan Gadolin.
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
- Atomic number
- 64
- Atomic mass
- 157.25 u
- Group
- Lanthanides (3)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f-block
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7 5d1
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.2
- Electron affinity
- —
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 237 pm
- Stable isotopes
- 6
Oxidation states
Highlighted: common oxidation states (+3).
Successive ionisation energies
Energy to remove each electron in turn (kJ/mol). Big jumps show where a new, inner shell begins.
- 1st593.4
- 2nd1,170
- 3rd1,990
- 4th4,250
Physical
Physical properties & colour
Physical
Physical properties & colour
- State at 20 °C
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1,586 K · 1,312.9 °C · 2,395.1 °F
- Boiling point
- 3,546 K · 3,272.9 °C · 5,923.1 °F
- Density
- 7.9 g/cm³
- Molar heat capacity
- 37.03 J/(mol·K)
- Appearance
- Silvery white
- CPK model colour
- Copied
The CPK colour is the convention used for this element’s atoms in molecular models.
FAQ
Gadolinium questions
What is Gd on the periodic table?
Gd is the symbol for gadolinium, element 64 on the periodic table. It sits in period 6, in the f-block, in the lanthanide category, and has an atomic mass of 157.25.
What is the atomic number of gadolinium?
Gadolinium has atomic number 64, so every gadolinium atom has 64 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Gd and its atomic mass is 157.25.
Who discovered gadolinium?
Gadolinium was discovered by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1880 (Switzerland). The name comes from from the mineral gadolinite, named after Finnish chemist Johan Gadolin.
What is gadolinium used for?
Gadolinium is used for: MRI contrast agents; neutron shielding; magnetic refrigeration research; phosphors.
Is gadolinium a metal?
Yes. Gadolinium is a lanthanide, one of the metallic elements.
What is the electron configuration of gadolinium?
The electron configuration of gadolinium is [Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2. Its 64 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2.