Neodymium

Atomic Number: 60
Symbol: Nd
Atomic Mass: 144.24 u
Number of Neutrons: 84
Melting Point: 1,016°C
Boiling Point: 3074°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.18.22.8.2
Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²

---

Neodymium is the 60th element in the periodic table and it is in the lanthanide series. It is a hard, slightly malleable silvery metal that quickly breaks appart in air and moisture. Neodymium is used often to make magnets with iron and boron. They make the strongest magnets in the world. Neodymium is also very useful in electronic devices, including phones, microphones, loudspeakers and electronic musical instruments. Neodymium is the second most abundant element out of the rare-earth elements. It is almost as abundant as copper. Neodymium is mined out of the earth in ores and minerals such as monazite and bastnasite. The main areas where these ores are found are, Brazil, China, USA, India, Sri Lanka and Australia. Neodymium was discovered in Vienna in 1885 by Karl Auer. The name of this elemenent was named after the Greek word "neos", meaning "new", and "didymos", meaning "twin". The name combined means, "new twin".

Previous Element  Next Element