Gadolinium (Gd): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Gadolinium (Gd): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f7 5d1 · f-block, lanthanide series · period 6 · Ar 157.25
Gadolinium data
- Atomic number
- 64
- Relative atomic mass
- 157.25
- Group
- – (lanthanide series)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f
- Category
- Lanthanide
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f7 5d1
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7 5d1
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 2 (in the outer shell)
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.2
- First ionisation energy
- 6.15 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 237 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1313 °C
- Boiling point
- 3273 °C
- Density
- 7.9 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3
- Discovered
- 1880
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 25 · O 9 · P 2
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About gadolinium
With atomic number 64, gadolinium (Gd) has 64 protons in its nucleus and 64 electrons as a neutral atom. It belongs to the lanthanide series in period 6 (f-block), usually shown below the main table. Gadolinium was first discovered in 1880. Gadolinium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 1313 °C and boiling at 3273 °C.
Gadolinium electron configuration
The electron configuration of gadolinium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7 5d1, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f7 5d1. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 25, O = 9, P = 2. As a lanthanide, gadolinium fills the 4f subshell. Its outer 6s subshell holds 2 electrons; valence electrons for this series are not assigned by the usual group rule. This is an exception to the Aufbau rule: the usual filling order predicts [Xe] 6s2 4f8, but the 4f and 5d subshells are so close in energy that electrons occupy 5d. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Gd3+ = [Xe] 4f7.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f7(63) → 5d1(64)
Uses of gadolinium
In industry and the laboratory, gadolinium turns up in many places, for example MRI contrast agents and neutron absorbers in nuclear reactors.
Safety
Bulk gadolinium has low toxicity. The main hazards are its dust and salts, so always check the SDS of the compound you use. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other lanthanides
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of gadolinium?
The electron configuration of gadolinium (Gd, atomic number 64) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f7 5d1, or [Xe] 6s2 4f7 5d1 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 25, 9, 2.
How many valence electrons does gadolinium have?
Gadolinium has 2 electrons in its outer shell. For lanthanides and actinides, valence electrons are not assigned by the usual group rule.
Which group and period is gadolinium in?
Gadolinium is in the lanthanide series, period 6, f-block.
What is the atomic mass of gadolinium?
The relative atomic mass of gadolinium is 157.25. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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