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Gadolinium (Gd)
Element with atomic number 64, category: Lanthanide, a solid at room temperature.
Element 64 of 118
Lanthanide
Gadolinium
Group 10, Period 6 (lanthanide series)
Common Uses
MRI contrast agent
Electron Diagram
About Gadolinium
Gadolinium is a chemical element with the symbol Gd and atomic number 64, meaning every atom has 64 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Lanthanide and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 157.25 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Gadolinium sits in group 10, period 6 (lanthanide series), which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Gadolinium
In daily life and industry, Gadolinium is used for MRI contrast agent. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Lanthanide category.
Electron Structure of Gadolinium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Gadolinium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 4 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.