Origin / Meaning of the name Neodymium
The name originates from the Greek words neos meaning new and 'didymos' meaning twin
Facts about the Discovery and History of the Neodymium Element
Neodymium was discovered by Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach in Vienna, Austria in 1885.
Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Neodymium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Neodymium is classified as an element in the Lanthanide series as one of the "Rare Earth Elements" which can located in Group 3 elements of the Periodic Table and in the 6th and 7th periods. The Rare Earth Elements are divided into the Lanthanide and Actinide series. The elements in the Lanthanide series closely resemble lanthanum, and one another, in their chemical and physical properties. Their compounds are used as catalysts in the production of petroleum and synthetic products. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.
Occurrence of the Neodymium Element
Never found in nature as the free element
Found in monazite and bastnaesite
Also found in Misch metal
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 1×10-6%
% in Sun 3×10-7%
% in Meteorites 0.00005%
% in Earth's Crust 0.0033%
% in Oceans 2.8×10-10%
% in Humans N/A
Associated Uses of Neodymium
Coloring glass
Coloring ceramics
Infra-red radiation filtering
