Gadolinium
lanthanide · period 6 · group 3 · f-block
Gadolinium is a chemical element with the symbol Gd and atomic number 64. Gadolinium is a silvery-white metal when oxidation is removed.
What the numbers say
At standard temperature and pressure Gadolinium is a solid, sitting in period 6, group 3 of the f-block.
Its melting point of 1585 K (1312 °C) is the 38th highest of the 110 elements with a measured value — mid-range among the elements.
At 7.901 g/cm³ it is the 41st densest of 96 elements with a quoted density.
Pauling electronegativity is 1.2. Paired with oxygen (3.44) that is a difference of 2.24, which puts the bond predominantly ionic — expect a stable oxide ceramic.
In the solid state it takes a simple hexagonal structure — hexagonal packing offers few easy slip systems, so properties are anisotropic and formability is limited.
It is reported in 3 oxidation states (1, 2, 3), which sets how many distinct compounds and phases it can form.
First identified in 1880.
Crystal structure
Solid Gadolinium adopts a Simple Hexagonal arrangement, in the Hexagonal system — axes a = b ≠ c, angles α = β = 90°, γ = 120°. Symmetry controls the anisotropy of stiffness and thermal expansion, and the available slip systems set how far the metal deforms before it fractures.
Check it against computed structures
The structure search queries the Materials Project, OQMD and the Open Materials Database for computed crystal structures containing Gd — with DFT formation energy, hull stability and band gap where the provider publishes them.
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 25 · O 9 · P 2
Properties
| Atomic number | 64 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 157.253 u |
| Series | lanthanide |
| Group | 3 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Density | 7.901 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1585 K (1312 °C) |
| Boiling point | 3273 K (3000 °C) |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.2 |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s² |
| Crystal structure | Simple Hexagonal |
| Oxidation states | 1,2,3 |
| Discovered | 1880 |
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See Gd in context with all 118 elements.
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