Element 64 · Lanthanide
Gadolinium (Gd) — Element 64
Johan Gadolin
Gadolinium (Gd) is a lanthanide in Period 6 (f-block) of the periodic table with atomic number 64, standard atomic weight 157.25 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 3 valence electrons and common oxidation states +3.
MRI contrast agents, magnets
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Gadolinium?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 64
- Standard atomic mass
- 157.25 u
- Chemical family
- Lanthanide
- Ground-state configuration
- [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2
- Valence electrons
- 3
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +3
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.20 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 593 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 233 pm
- Melting point
- 1,312 °C
- Boiling point
- 3,273 °C
- Discovery year
- 1880
- Table coordinate
- Period 6, f-block
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Gadolinium’s shells?
A neutral Gadolinium atom contains 64 electrons distributed across 6 occupied principal energy shells ([Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s²). The table below compares Gadolinium’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Gd | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 25 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 9 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
| n = 6 | P | 2 e⁻ | 72 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Gadolinium (Gd)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Gadolinium (Gd)?
Gadolinium (Gd) has atomic number Z = 64 (64 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 157.25 u. It sits in Period 6 in the f-block and is classified as a lanthanide.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Gadolinium?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Gadolinium (Z = 64) is [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s². Across its 6 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 6), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2, with 3 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Gadolinium?
Gadolinium commonly forms +3 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.20 and its first ionization energy is 593 kJ/mol.
When was Gadolinium discovered and what is it used for?
Gadolinium was discovered in 1880 (Johan Gadolin). MRI contrast agents, magnets
How does Gadolinium compare to neighboring elements?
Other lanthanide elements: