64

Gd

Gadolinium
157.25 (3)
 Historical Information

Spectroscopic lines due to gadolinium were observed by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1880 in samples of didymia and gadolinite. Gadolinia, the oxide of gadolinium, was separated by Paul-Emile Loq de Biosbaudran in 1886.
Basic Information Shells
  • Name:Gadolinium
  • Symbol: Gd
  • Atomic number: 64
  • Atomic weight:157.25 (3)
  • Standard state: solid at 298 K
  • Group in periodic table:
  • Group name:Lanthanoid
  • Period in periodic table: 6
  • Block in periodic table: f-block
  • Classification: Metallic
 Gadolinium
Uses Trivia
  • CD disks
  • alloys
  • superconductive properties

The metal is relatively stable in dry air, but in moist air it tarnishes with the formation of a loosely adhering oxide film which "spalls" off and exposes more surface to oxidation.