Neodymium (Nd): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Neodymium (Nd) is element 60 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block). Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f4 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 144.24 u.
▶ Watch Neodymium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableNeodymium at a glance
| Symbol | Nd |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 60 |
| Atomic mass | 144.24 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Group | f-block (no group number) |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f4 5s2 5p6 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f4 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.14 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Neodymium on the periodic table?
Neodymium is in period 6 of the f-block, the lanthanide row printed below the main table. It has 6 electron shells, and this row is where the 4f subshell fills.
How to work out the electron configuration of Neodymium
Put 60 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f⁴ (60). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s².
How electronegative is Neodymium?
Neodymium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.14, ranking 82 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is low: it tends to give up electrons and form positive ions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Neodymium?
The electron configuration of Neodymium (Nd) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f4 5s2 5p6 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f4 6s2.
How many electrons does Neodymium have in each shell?
Neodymium has 60 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 22, 8, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Neodymium?
The standard atomic weight of Neodymium is 144.24 u, so one mole of Neodymium atoms has a mass of about 144.24 g.
Is Neodymium a metal?
Yes. Neodymium is a lanthanide.
Explore nearby elements
More lanthanides: Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Promethium, Samarium, Europium. See all elements on the periodic table.