Gd
Gadolinium has unusual magnetic properties and is widely used as an MRI contrast agent.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 157.25 u |
| Density | 7.895 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1585.0 K |
| Boiling Point | 3546.0 K |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metallic |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 1.2 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 593.4 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 13.22 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +2, +3 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2 |
| Atomic Radius | 180.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 196.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 237.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac |
| Discovery Year | 1880 |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Named After | Named after Johan Gadolin, Finnish chemist |
About Gadolinium
Gadolinium is a silvery-white, malleable metal with the highest thermal neutron capture of any known element. It is ferromagnetic near room temperature and used in MRI contrast agents.
Uses & Applications
MRI contrast agents, neutron radiography, nuclear reactor shielding, and magnetorefrigerant alloys.
Fun Fact
Gadolinium has the highest neutron absorption cross-section of any stable element, making it invaluable in nuclear reactor control.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 155 | 0.148% | - | Yes |
| 156 | 0.2047% | - | Yes |
| 157 | 0.1565% | - | Yes |
| 158 | 0.2484% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2