neodymium

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neodymium (symbol Nd) Silver-yellow metallic element of the lanthanide series (rare-earth metals). Discovered and named in 1885 by the Austrian chemist Carl von Welsbach (1858–1929), it is used to manufacture lasers, and its salts are used to colour glass. Properties: at.no. 60; r.a.m. 144.24; r.d. 7.004; m.p. 1010°C (1850°F); b.p. 3068°C (5554°F); most common isotope Nd142 (27.11%).

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