Gadolinium is a silvery white metal element with the symbolGd of the group of rare earth metals. It is found in the mineral gadolinite. It is ferromagnetic (strongly attracted by a magnet). The metal is relatively stable in dry air, but in moist air it tarnishes with the formation of a loosely adhering oxide film which 'spalls' off and exposes more surface to oxidation. The metal reacts slowly with water and is soluble in dilute acid.
Gadolinium has the highest thermal neutron capture cross-section of any known element. Gadolinium is used for making gadolinium yttrium garnets which have microwave applications.
Gadolinium compounds are used for making phosphors for colour TV tubes. Gadolinium is also used in alloys and CD disks and has superconductive properties. Solutions of gadolinium compounds are used as intravenous contrasts to enhance images in patients undergoing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Research Gadolinium
Ytterbium is a bivalent or trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth elements that resembles yttrium and occurs with it and related elements in several minerals such as gadolinite. It has the symbolYb. Research Ytterbium
Gadolinite, named after the Russian chemist Gadolin, or ytterbite is a naturally occurring complex silicate containing beryllium, iron and many of the rare earth metals, of which the latter is an important source. The principal rare earths that occur in gadolinite are yttrium and erbium, together with smaller amounts of cerium and lanthanum.It is usually found in dull, amorphous masses disseminated through granite; is black, or very dark green in colour, with a resinouslustre. *Gahnite
Gahnite (zinc spinel) is a dark green mineral of the spinel group consisting of zincaluminiumoxide. It is named after J G Gahn the Swedish chemist. Research Gadolinite
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Abbreviations
Research Gadolinium
