64157.25GdGadolinium
Gadolinium (Gd) — element 64lanthanide · period 6
Gadolinium is a chemical element with the symbol Gd and atomic number 64. It is a lanthanide in period 6 of the periodic table (the f-block), with a standard atomic mass of 157.25 u. At room temperature (25 °C) gadolinium is a solid.
💡 Known for: Gadolinium compounds are used as contrast agents in MRI scans.
# Gadolinium properties
| Symbol | Gd |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 64 |
| Atomic mass | 157.25 u |
| Category | lanthanide |
| Group | — (f-block, no group number) |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f⁷ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2 |
| Protons / electrons | 64 / 64 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1585 K (1311.8 °C, 2393.3 °F) |
| Boiling point | 3546 K (3272.8 °C, 5923.1 °F) |
| Density | 7.895 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.2 |
| First ionization energy | 6.15 eV |
| Atomic radius | 233 pm |
| Discovered | 1880 |
# Electron configuration of gadolinium
The electron configuration of gadolinium is [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f⁷ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s². Its 64 electrons fill 6 shells as 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2, so the outermost shell holds 2 electrons.
# Related elements
EuEuropiumprevious elementTbTerbiumnext elementLaLanthanumlanthanideCeCeriumlanthanidePrPraseodymiumlanthanideNdNeodymiumlanthanidePmPromethiumlanthanideSmSamariumlanthanideDyDysprosiumlanthanideHoHolmiumlanthanide
# Gadolinium FAQ
What is the atomic number of gadolinium?
The atomic number of gadolinium is 64: every gadolinium atom has 64 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Gd.
What is the atomic mass of gadolinium?
The standard atomic mass of gadolinium is 157.25 u.
What is the electron configuration of gadolinium?
Gadolinium's electron configuration is [Xe] 4f⁷ 5d¹ 6s² (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f⁷ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s²), with 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2 electrons per shell.
Is gadolinium a metal?
Yes. Gadolinium is a lanthanide, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of gadolinium?
Gadolinium melts at 1585 K (1311.8 °C, 2393.3 °F) and boils at 3546 K (3272.8 °C, 5923.1 °F).
What is gadolinium used for / known for?
Gadolinium compounds are used as contrast agents in MRI scans.