Element 60 · Lanthanide
Neodymium (Nd) — Element 60
Greek neos didymos — new twin
Neodymium (Nd) is a lanthanide in Period 6 (f-block) of the periodic table with atomic number 60, standard atomic weight 144.24 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 3 valence electrons and common oxidation states +3.
Powerful permanent magnets
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Neodymium?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 60
- Standard atomic mass
- 144.24 u
- Chemical family
- Lanthanide
- Ground-state configuration
- [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2
- Valence electrons
- 3
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +3
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.14 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 533 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 229 pm
- Melting point
- 1,024 °C
- Boiling point
- 3,074 °C
- Discovery year
- 1885
- Table coordinate
- Period 6, f-block
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Neodymium’s shells?
A neutral Neodymium atom contains 60 electrons distributed across 6 occupied principal energy shells ([Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²). The table below compares Neodymium’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Nd | 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 | 22 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 8 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
| n = 6 | P | 2 e⁻ | 72 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Neodymium (Nd)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Neodymium (Nd)?
Neodymium (Nd) has atomic number Z = 60 (60 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 144.24 u. It sits in Period 6 in the f-block and is classified as a lanthanide.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Neodymium?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Neodymium (Z = 60) is [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s². Across its 6 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 6), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2, with 3 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Neodymium?
Neodymium commonly forms +3 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.14 and its first ionization energy is 533 kJ/mol.
When was Neodymium discovered and what is it used for?
Neodymium was discovered in 1885 (Greek neos didymos — new twin). Powerful permanent magnets
How does Neodymium compare to neighboring elements?
Other lanthanide elements: