Neodymium Facts - Nd or Element 60

Chemical & Physical Properties of Neodymium

This is a 1 cm sample of ultrapure neodymium stored under argon to prevent oxidation.
Neodymium is a soft, silvery lanthanide metal. This is a 1 cm sample of ultrapure neodymium stored under argon to prevent oxidation. unknown, Wikipedia Commons
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on March 10, 2017

Neodymium Basic Facts

Atomic Number: 60

Symbol: Nd

Atomic Weight: 144.24

Element Classification: Rare Earth Element (Lanthanide Series)

Discoverer: C.F. Ayer von Weisbach

Discovery Date: 1925 (Austria)

Name Origin: Greek: neos and didymos (new twin)

Neodymium Physical Data

Density (g/cc): 7.007

Melting Point (K): 1294

Boiling Point (K): 3341

Appearance: silvery-white, rare earth metal that oxidizes readily in air

Atomic Radius (pm): 182

Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 20.6

Covalent Radius (pm): 184

Ionic Radius: 99.5 (+3e)

Specific Heat (@20°C J/g mol): 0.205

Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 7.1

Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 289

Pauling Negativity Number: 1.14

First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 531.5

Oxidation States: 3

Electronic Configuration: [Xe] 4f4 6s2

Lattice Structure: hexagonal

Lattice Constant (Å): 3.660

Lattice C/A Ratio: 1.614

References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001)

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Neodymium Facts - Nd or Element 60." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/neodymium-facts-nd-or-element-60-606562. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Neodymium Facts - Nd or Element 60. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/neodymium-facts-nd-or-element-60-606562 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Neodymium Facts - Nd or Element 60." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/neodymium-facts-nd-or-element-60-606562 (accessed June 10, 2023).