Nd
Neodymium
Element 60 · Lanthanide
Neodymium (Nd)
Neodymium is a rare-earth metal best known for the neodymium–iron–boron magnets, the strongest permanent magnets available.
- Lanthanide
- Period 6
- f-block series
- f-block
- solid at room temperature
Key properties
- Atomic mass
- 144.24
- u
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f4 6s2
- Melting point
- 1,020.9 °C
- 1,294 K
- Boiling point
- 3,073.9 °C
- 3,347 K
- Density
- 7.01 g/cm³
- Electronegativity
- 1.14
- Pauling
- Atomic radius
- 229 pm
- van der Waals
- 1st ionisation energy
- 5.525 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 neodymium
- 01
Neodymium magnets power electric-car motors, wind turbines, headphones and hard drives.
- 02
Neodymium glass shifts colour from purple in daylight to blue under fluorescent light.
- 03
Nd:YAG lasers are used in surgery, tattoo removal and cutting metal.
Applications
What is neodymium used for?
- Neodymium magnets
- Lasers
- Glass colouring
- Electric vehicle motors
History
Discovery & name origin
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
- Atomic number
- 60
- Atomic mass
- 144.24 u
- Group
- Lanthanides (3)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f-block
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f4 6s2
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f4
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.14
- Electron affinity
- —
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 229 pm
- Stable isotopes
- 5
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.
- 1st533.1
- 2nd1,040
- 3rd2,130
- 4th3,900
Physical
Physical properties & colour
Physical
Physical properties & colour
- State at 20 °C
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1,294 K · 1,020.9 °C · 1,869.5 °F
- Boiling point
- 3,347 K · 3,073.9 °C · 5,564.9 °F
- Density
- 7.01 g/cm³
- Molar heat capacity
- 27.45 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
Neodymium questions
What is Nd on the periodic table?
Nd is the symbol for neodymium, element 60 on the periodic table. It sits in period 6, in the f-block, in the lanthanide category, and has an atomic mass of 144.24.
What is the atomic number of neodymium?
Neodymium has atomic number 60, so every neodymium atom has 60 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Nd and its atomic mass is 144.24.
Who discovered neodymium?
Neodymium was discovered by Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1885 (Austria). The name comes from Greek neos didymos, “new twin”.
What is neodymium used for?
Neodymium is used for: neodymium magnets; lasers; glass colouring; electric vehicle motors.
Is neodymium a metal?
Yes. Neodymium is a lanthanide, one of the metallic elements.
What is the electron configuration of neodymium?
The electron configuration of neodymium is [Xe] 4f4 6s2. Its 60 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2.