April 2020
Intermediate to advanced
296 pages
5h 20m
English

Gd’s unpaired electrons spin with such magnetic zeal,
In MRIs this lanthanoid helps tumors to reveal.
Helps iron work well, not rust away.
All hail its “neutron-catching” skills . . . in fissile cores ideal.
jee-dees
EIGHTH IN THE LANTHANOID SERIES
As an f-block element in row 6 of the periodic table, gadolinium has access to seven 4f orbitals, each capable of accommodating a pair of electrons. Gadolinium has seven 4f electrons, distributed so there is one per orbital. This arrangement minimizes the extent of electron-electron repulsion, ...