Wikijunior:The Elements/Neodymium

Shows the position of Neodymium on the periodic chart.

Neodymium's symbol on the Periodic Table

What does it look, feel, taste, or smell like?

5 grams Ultrapure Neodymium under Argon

It has a color of yield pink and nitrate salts create from nitric acid.

Where did its name come from?

The name “Neodymium” came from the Greek words “neos” and “didymos” which mean new and twin. Combined together is “new twin”.

Where is it found?

In 1855, the element Neodymium was found by Carl F. Auer von Welsbach, an Austrian chemist.

What are its uses?

Neodymium magnet

Neodymium have several important uses. It can be a kind of laser called neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet laser (Nd:YAG). This laser is used for treating bronchial (part of the lungs) cancer, eye disorders. Another use is make very strong magnets, the strongest magnet Neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) is also made from the element Neodymium. These magnets are used in audio speakers.

Did You Know?

Neodymium is in group 6 in the Rare-Earth elements part and it have 60 protons, 84 neutrons.
The melting point of Neodymium is 1024 C and the boiling point is 3074 C.

Neodymium is also for light devices. There is also a company that made a lightbulb called “Enrich” bulb. The company put small amount of Neodymium into glass of their bulb to produce yellowish and greenish colors. The light from Enrich bulb is highly bright white light.

The last use of Neodymium is coloring glass. As I mentioned above, a small amount of Neodymium added to the lightbulb will gives it a greenish color, this can also be applied for glass. Some of Tiffany lamps use Neodymium in the lampshades.

Is it dangerous?

It's dangerous when you hold a big one but if it's small you can hold it with your hand