Neodymium
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| General Properties | |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 60 |
| Atomic mass | 144.242amu |
| Atomic radii | 206pm |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f4 6s2 |
| Density | 7.01g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 1016°C |
| Boiling point | 3074°C |
| First discovered | 1885 |
| Most common compound on Earth | (Ce,La,Nd,Th)(PO4,SiO4) (Monazite Ore) |
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Description and uses
Neodymium is the 60th element of the periodic table. It was discovered in 1885 when Carl Auer von Welsbach split the compound didymium (a mixture of neodymium and
praseodymium) into its two parts.
Neodymium's main use is in extremely strong permanent magnets, being able to attract each other half a metre away, and jumping towards each other at a very high
speed. It is mainly used in electronics, such as in magnetic disks and tapes.
Neodymium has 7 naturally occurring isotopes, with atomic masses ranging from 142 to 150. Its most common isotope is 142Nd, with an abundance of
around 27%. It is quickly followed by the radioactive 144Nd, with an abundance of around 24%, and a half-life of around 2.3x1015 years.