Neodymium

Neodymium
Neodymium block | Image: Learnool

Neodymium (Nd) is a chemical element of the periodic table, located in the period 6, and has the atomic number 60. It is the fourth element in the lanthanide series. It is a soft, bright, silvery-white metal, whose name comes from the Greek word “neos didymos”, which means new twin. It is a highly reactive metal and is counted as one of the rare earth elements.

On periodic table

group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
period
1 1
H
Click on the image to learn more!

Hydrogen
2
He
Click on the image to learn more!

Helium
2 3
Li
Click on the image to learn more!

Lithium
4
Be
Click on the image to learn more!

Beryllium
5
B
Click on the image to learn more!

Boron
6
C
Click on the image to learn more!

Carbon
7
N
Click on the image to learn more!

Nitrogen
8
O
Click on the image to learn more!

Oxygen
9
F
Click on the image to learn more!

Fluorine
10
Ne
Click on the image to learn more!

Neon
3 11
Na
Click on the image to learn more!

Sodium
12
Mg
Click on the image to learn more!

Magnesium
13
Al
Click on the image to learn more!

Aluminium
14
Si
Click on the image to learn more!

Silicon
15
P
Click on the image to learn more!

Phosphorus
16
S
Click on the image to learn more!

Sulfur
17
Cl
Click on the image to learn more!

Chlorine
18
Ar
Click on the image to learn more!

Argon
4 19
K
Click on the image to learn more!

Potassium
20
Ca
Click on the image to learn more!

Calcium
21
Sc
Click on the image to learn more!

Scandium
22
Ti
Click on the image to learn more!

Titanium
23
V
Click on the image to learn more!

Vanadium
24
Cr
Click on the image to learn more!

Chromium
25
Mn
Click on the image to learn more!

Manganese
26
Fe
Click on the image to learn more!

Iron
27
Co
Click on the image to learn more!

Cobalt
28
Ni
Click on the image to learn more!

Nickel
29
Cu
Click on the image to learn more!

Copper
30
Zn
Click on the image to learn more!

Zinc
31
Ga
Click on the image to learn more!

Gallium
32
Ge
Click on the image to learn more!

Germanium
33
As
Click on the image to learn more!

Arsenic
34
Se
Click on the image to learn more!

Selenium
35
Br
Click on the image to learn more!

Bromine
36
Kr
Click on the image to learn more!

Krypton
5 37
Rb
Click on the image to learn more!

Rubidium
38
Sr
Click on the image to learn more!

Strontium
39
Y
Click on the image to learn more!

Yttrium
40
Zr
Click on the image to learn more!

Zirconium
41
Nb
Click on the image to learn more!

Niobium
42
Mo
Click on the image to learn more!

Molybdenum
43
Tc
Click on the image to learn more!

Technetium
44
Ru
Click on the image to learn more!

Ruthenium
45
Rh
Click on the image to learn more!

Rhodium
46
Pd
Click on the image to learn more!

Palladium
47
Ag
Click on the image to learn more!

Silver
48
Cd
Click on the image to learn more!

Cadmium
49
In
Click on the image to learn more!

Indium
50
Sn
Click on the image to learn more!

Tin
51
Sb
Click on the image to learn more!

Antimony
52
Te
Click on the image to learn more!

Tellurium
53
I
Click on the image to learn more!

Iodine
54
Xe
Click on the image to learn more!

Xenon
6 55
Cs
Click on the image to learn more!

Caesium
56
Ba
Click on the image to learn more!

Barium
72
Hf
Click on the image to learn more!

Hafnium
73
Ta
Click on the image to learn more!

Tantalum
74
W
Click on the image to learn more!

Tungsten
75
Re
Click on the image to learn more!

Rhenium
76
Os
Click on the image to learn more!

Osmium
77
Ir
Click on the image to learn more!

Iridium
78
Pt
Click on the image to learn more!

Platinum
79
Au
Click on the image to learn more!

Gold
80
Hg
Click on the image to learn more!

Mercury
81
Tl
Click on the image to learn more!

Thallium
82
Pb
Click on the image to learn more!

Lead
83
Bi
Click on the image to learn more!

Bismuth
84
Po
Click on the image to learn more!

Polonium
85
At
Click on the image to learn more!

Astatine
86
Rn
Click on the image to learn more!

Radon
7 87
Fr
Click on the image to learn more!

Francium
88
Ra
Click on the image to learn more!

Radium
104
Rf
Click on the image to learn more!

Rutherfordium
105
Db
Click on the image to learn more!

Dubnium
106
Sg
Click on the image to learn more!

Seaborgium
107
Bh
Click on the image to learn more!

Bohrium
108
Hs
Click on the image to learn more!

Hassium
109
Mt
Click on the image to learn more!

Meitnerium
110
Ds
Click on the image to learn more!

Darmstadtium
111
Rg
Click on the image to learn more!

Roentgenium
112
Cn
Click on the image to learn more!

Copernicium
113
Nh
Click on the image to learn more!

Nihonium
114
Fl
Click on the image to learn more!

Flerovium
115
Mc
Click on the image to learn more!

Moscovium
116
Lv
Click on the image to learn more!

Livermorium
117
Ts
Click on the image to learn more!

Tennessine
118
Og
Click on the image to learn more!

Oganesson
57
La
Click on the image to learn more!

Lanthanum
58
Ce
Click on the image to learn more!

Cerium
59
Pr
Click on the image to learn more!

Praseodymium
60
Nd
Neodymium
61
Pm
Click on the image to learn more!

Promethium
62
Sm
Click on the image to learn more!

Samarium
63
Eu
Click on the image to learn more!

Europium
64
Gd
Click on the image to learn more!

Gadolinium
65
Tb
Click on the image to learn more!

Terbium
66
Dy
Click on the image to learn more!

Dysprosium
67
Ho
Click on the image to learn more!

Holmium
68
Er
Click on the image to learn more!

Erbium
69
Tm
Click on the image to learn more!

Thulium
70
Yb
Click on the image to learn more!

Ytterbium
71
Lu
Click on the image to learn more!

Lutetium
89
Ac
Click on the image to learn more!

Actinium
90
Th
Click on the image to learn more!

Thorium
91
Pa
Click on the image to learn more!

Protactinium
92
U
Click on the image to learn more!

Uranium
93
Np
Click on the image to learn more!

Neptunium
94
Pu
Click on the image to learn more!

Plutonium
95
Am
Click on the image to learn more!

Americium
96
Cm
Click on the image to learn more!

Curium
97
Bk
Click on the image to learn more!

Berkelium
98
Cf
Click on the image to learn more!

Californium
99
Es
Click on the image to learn more!

Einsteinium
100
Fm
Click on the image to learn more!

Fermium
101
Md
Click on the image to learn more!

Mendelevium
102
No
Click on the image to learn more!

Nobelium
103
Lr
Click on the image to learn more!

Lawrencium
– f block

Neodymium (Nd) is located on the periodic table in the lanthanide series, which is a group of elements located at the bottom of the table. Specifically, in period 6, between praseodymium (Pr) and promethium (Pm).

Element information

Neodymium Element
Neodymium appearance | Image: Wikipedia
Neodymium Periodic Table
Neodymium location on periodic table | Image: Learnool
Neodymium is found in the sixth row of the periodic table, next to the praseodymium element.
Origin of name Greek word “neos didymos” (which means new twin)
Symbol Nd
Atomic number (Z) 60
Atomic mass 144.242 u
Block f-block
Period 6
Classification Lanthanide
Atomic radius 181 pm
Covalent radius 201±6 pm
Melting point 1024 ℃, 1875 ℉, 1297 K
Boiling point 3074 ℃, 5565 ℉, 3347 K
Electron configuration [Xe] 4f4 6s2
Learn how to write: Neodymium electron configuration
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2
Learn how to draw: Neodymium Bohr model
Crystal structure Double hexagonal close-packed (dhcp)
Phase at r.t Solid
Density near r.t 7.01 g/cm3
Main isotopes Neodymium-142, Neodymium-143, Neodymium-145, Neodymium-146, Neodymium-148
Natural occurrence Primordial
Oxidation state +3
Electronegativity (Pauling scale) 1.14
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
60
84
60
CAS number 7440-00-8
Discovered by Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1885

History

Carl Auer von Welsbach | Image: Wikipedia

Neodymium was first discovered in 1885 by the Austrian chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach. He was investigating a newly discovered mineral from Sweden called didymium, which was believed to be a single element. However, von Welsbach was able to isolate two new rare earth elements from didymium: praseodymium and neodymium.

Neodymium was named after the Greek words “neos,” meaning new, and “didymos,” meaning twin, as it was originally believed to be a twin of the element didymium. It wasn’t until 1925 that neodymium was shown to be distinct from didymium.

Since its discovery, neodymium has been used in various industrial applications, particularly in the production of powerful magnets. In the 1980s, researchers discovered that alloys of neodymium, iron, and boron could produce magnets significantly stronger than any previously known magnets. Today, neodymium magnets are used in a wide range of applications, including in computer hard drives, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.

Occurrence and production

Neodymium is one of the most abundant of the rare earth elements, with an abundance of about 38 parts per million in the Earth’s crust. Neodymium is typically found in minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite, as well as in some iron and titanium ores. The process of extracting neodymium from these minerals involves a complex series of steps, including grinding, acid leaching, solvent extraction, and precipitation.

The majority of neodymium production takes place in China, which accounts for over 80% of the world’s neodymium supply. Other significant producers include the United States, Australia, and Russia. The production of neodymium is primarily driven by its use in the production of neodymium magnets, which are used in a wide range of applications, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. As such, neodymium is an important strategic material for many countries.

Properties

Neodymium is a soft, silvery-white metal that belongs to the lanthanide series of elements.

It has a relatively high melting point of 1024 ℃ and a boiling point of 3074 ℃.

Neodymium is highly reactive and can quickly tarnish in air, forming an oxide layer on the surface.

Its atomic number is 60, and its atomic weight is 144.242 g/mol.

Neodymium is a paramagnetic material, which means it is attracted to magnetic fields and can be used to create strong permanent magnets.

It has a high heat capacity and can also be used in the production of specialized glass for high-powered lasers.

Applications

Permanent magnets

Neodymium magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnet available and are used in a wide range of applications including electric motors, hard drives, headphones, and speakers. These magnets have high magnetic energy and are able to maintain their magnetization over a long period of time.

Glass colorant

Neodymium is also used as a glass colorant, particularly in high-quality glasses used for optics and lasers. Neodymium-doped glass filters out yellow and green light, resulting in a pink or purple coloration.

Catalysts

Neodymium is used as a catalyst in the production of synthetic rubber and in the cracking of petroleum products. It is also used in the production of high-performance magnets and alloys.

Lighting

Neodymium is used in lighting, particularly in incandescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs. It is added to the glass to filter out yellow light, resulting in a whiter and more natural-looking light.

Nuclear reactors

Neodymium-147 is a radioactive isotope that can be used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors. It helps control the rate of nuclear fission by absorbing excess neutrons.

Jewelry

Neodymium is used as a component in some types of jewelry, particularly in colored diamonds. When added to the diamond, neodymium can give it a blue or violet coloration.

Interesting facts

Neodymium is named after the Greek words “neos” and “didymos,” which translate to “new twin,” referencing its discovery as a twin of the previously discovered element praseodymium.

It is one of the five rare earth elements used to make the powerful neodymium magnets that are used in many modern applications.

Neodymium is used in the glass industry to create a purple color in glass and as a component in welding goggles to protect against infrared light.

It is also used in various medical imaging applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.

Neodymium is a key component in the production of high-efficiency motors used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

The element has the potential to be used in the development of future technologies such as quantum computing due to its unique electronic properties.

Related

More elements

s block
p block
d block
f block
Barium Aluminium Bohrium Actinium
Beryllium Antimony Cadmium Americium
Caesium Argon Chromium Berkelium
Calcium Arsenic Cobalt Californium
Francium Astatine Copernicium Cerium
Helium Bismuth Copper Curium
Hydrogen Boron Darmstadtium Dysprosium
Lithium Bromine Dubnium Einsteinium
Magnesium Carbon Gold Erbium
Potassium Chlorine Hafnium Europium
Radium Flerovium Hassium Fermium
Rubidium Fluorine Iridium Gadolinium
Sodium Gallium Iron Holmium
Strontium Germanium Lawrencium Lanthanum
Indium Lutetium Mendelevium
Iodine Manganese Neodymium
Krypton Meitnerium Neptunium
Lead Mercury Nobelium
Livermorium Molybdenum Plutonium
Moscovium Nickel Praseodymium
Neon Niobium Promethium
Nihonium Osmium Protactinium
Nitrogen Palladium Samarium
Oganesson Platinum Terbium
Oxygen Rhenium Thorium
Phosphorus Rhodium Thulium
Polonium Roentgenium Uranium
Radon Ruthenium Ytterbium
Selenium Rutherfordium
Silicon Scandium
Sulfur Seaborgium
Tellurium Silver
Tennessine Tantalum
Thallium Technetium
Tin Titanium
Xenon Tungsten
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium

External links

Deep

Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

Leave a Comment