Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Nd |
| Atomic Number | 60 |
| Atomic Mass | 144.24 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 3 |
| Block | f |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s² |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| State at 20°C | Solid |
| Density | 7.01 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1024°C (1297 K) |
| Boiling Point | 3074°C (3347 K) |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metal with slight yellowish tint |
History and Discovery
Discovered by: Carl Auer von Welsbach Year of Discovery: 1885 Location: Vienna, Austria
Etymology
Named from the Greek "neos" (new) and "didymos" (twin), meaning "new twin."
Discovery Story
Carl Auer von Welsbach separated neodymium from praseodymium in 1885, showing that didymium was actually two elements.
Applications and Uses
Permanent Magnets
- Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets—strongest permanent magnets
- Electric vehicle motors
- Wind turbine generators
- Computer hard drives
- Headphones and speakers
Other Uses
- Nd:YAG lasers (medical, industrial)
- Glass coloring (purple/violet)
- Lighter flints
- Didymium glass for welding goggles
Interesting Facts
- NdFeB magnets are the strongest permanent magnets known
- Critical material for electric vehicles and wind turbines
- Neodymium gives glass a distinctive purple color
- China controls about 90% of global production
- Demand is rapidly increasing due to green technology