60NdNeodymium144.2423[Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²
lanthanide

Neodymium

Neodymium is a chemical element with symbol Nd and atomic number 60. It is a soft silvery metal that tarnishes in air. Neodymium was discovered in 1885 by the Austrian chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
4f4
6s2

54 is the [Xe] core total across five shells.

Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
60
Atomic mass
144.2423 u
Phase
Solid
Density
7.01 g/cm³
Melting point
1,297 K
Boiling point
3,347 K
First ionization energy
533.1 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
1.14
Electron affinity
184.87 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
27.45 J/(mol·K)
Period
6
Appearance
silvery white

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

Keep exploring

Explore the stories, imagery, and reference data in more depth. Properties with no value in the reference are marked unavailable.