Neodymium

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Neodymium \Ne`o*dym"i*um\, n. [NL. Dee {Neo-}, and {Didymium}.]
     (Chem.)
     The chemical element of atomic number 60, one of the rare
     earth elements. Symbol Nd. Atomic weight 144.27.
  
     Note: It is a rare metallic element occurring in combination


           with cerium, lanthanum, and other rare metals, and
           forming amethyst-colored salts. It was originally
           thought to be part of a supposed new element didymium,
           obtained from cerite in 1843. Later this was resolved
           into two elements, neodymium and praesodymium by von
           Welsbach in 1885. It is chiefly trivalent. It is a
           faintly yellow metal.
           [1913 Webster +PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  neodymium
       n : a yellow trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group;
           occurs in monazite and bastnasite in association with
           cerium and lanthanum and praseodymium [syn: {Nd}, {atomic
           number 60}]

From Elements database 20001107 [elements]:

  neodymium
  Symbol: Nd
  Atomic number: 60
  Atomic weight: 144.24
  Soft bright silvery metallic element, belongs to the lanthanoids. Seven natural
  isotopes, Nd-144 being the only radioactive one with a half-life of 10^10
  to 10^15 years. Six artificial radioisotopes have been produced. The
  metal is used in glass works to color class a shade of violet-purple and
  make it dichroic. One of the more reactive rare-earth metals, quickly reacts
  with air. Used in some rare-earth alloys. Neodymium is used to color
  the glass used in welder's glasses. Neodymium is also used in very
  powerful, permanent magnets (Nd2Fe14B). Discovered by Carl F. Auer von
  Welsbach in Austria in 1885 by separating didymium into its elemental
  components {praseodymium} and neodymium. The name comes from the Greek words
  "neos didymos" which means "new twin". Neodymium should be considered
  highly toxic, however evidence would seem to show that it acts as little
  more than a skin and eye irritant. The dust however, presents a fire and
  explosion hazard.