64
Gd
Gadolinium
158

Gadolinium (Gd)

LanthanidePeriod 6f-block-block

Gadolinium is a chemical element with symbol Gd and atomic number 64. It is a silvery-white, malleable and ductile rare-earth metal. It is found in nature only in combined (salt) form.

Latin name: Gadolinium

Atomic Number
64
Atomic Mass
158 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s²

General

SymbolGd
Atomic Number64
Atomic Mass158 g/mol
CategoryLanthanide
Period6
Blockf-block
Electron Configuration[Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s²
Valence Electrons10
Coloursilvery-white metallic
Appearancesilvery white
CAS NumberCAS7440-54-2

Physical Properties

Phase (STP)Solid
Density7.9 g/cm³
Melting Point1311.85°C · 2393.33°F · 1585.00 K
Boiling Point3272.85°C · 5923.13°F · 3546.00 K

Atomic Properties

Atomic Radius237 pm
Electronegativity1.2 Pauling
Ionization Energy593 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+3
Ion ChargeGd3+

Thermodynamic

Molar Heat37.03 J/(mol·K)

Crystal Structure

Crystal Structurehexagonal close-packed

Mechanical Properties

Mohs Hardness2.5

Nuclear & Hazards

Half-lifestable (Gd-158)

Abundance

In Universe0.00003%
In Sun0.000025%
In Earth's Crust0.0520%
In Meteorites0.00009999999999999999%

Discovery & History

Discovery Year1880
Discovered ByJean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Country of DiscoverySwitzerland

Isotopes of Gadolinium

IsotopeAbundanceHalf-lifeDecay
Gd-1520.2%1.08 × 10¹⁴ yearsα
Gd-1542.18%Stable
Gd-15514.8%Stable
Gd-15620.47%Stable
Gd-15715.65%Stable
Gd-15824.84%Stable
Gd-16021.86%Stable

External References

← 63 Europium65 Terbium →