Pr
Praseodymium
Atomic number: 59Mass: 140.908 uCategory: Lanthanide
About Praseodymium
Praseodymium is a soft, silvery, malleable and ductile metal. It is a member of the lanthanide series. Its name means 'green twin' in Greek, referring to the green colour of its salts. It is used in strong permanent magnets.
Properties
Period
6
Group
N/A
Block
F
Category
Lanthanide
Electronegativity
1.13 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
527 kJ/mol
Melting Point
1208 K (935°C)
Boiling Point
3793 K (3520°C)
Density
6.77 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+3, +4
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f³ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s²
[Xe] 4f³ 6s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:21e⁻
Shell 5:8e⁻
Shell 6:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Permanent magnets (NdFeB)
Protective goggles
High-strength alloys
Yellow/orange pigments
Fibre optic amplifiers
Fun Fact
Praseodymium is used in goggles worn by glassblowers — its compounds absorb the harmful yellow flare produced by sodium in hot glass!