Neodymium Electron Configuration

Interactive reference for neodymium's electron configuration ([Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²), orbital diagram, quantum numbers, and key atomic properties.

Use the Neodymium Electron Configuration

Z = 60 Nd Neodymium

Neodymium — Electron Configuration

Atomic number 60 · Lanthanide (rare-earth metal) · Period 6 · f-block

[Xe] 4f⁴ 6s² 60 electrons 6 beyond [Xe] +3 common ion

Subshell Breakdown (All 60 Electrons)

Subshell Type Electrons Max Capacity Notation
1s [Xe] s orbital, shell n=1 2 2 1s²
2s [Xe] s orbital, shell n=2 2 2 2s²
2p [Xe] p orbitals, shell n=2 6 6 2p⁶
3s [Xe] s orbital, shell n=3 2 2 3s²
3p [Xe] p orbitals, shell n=3 6 6 3p⁶
3d [Xe] d orbitals, shell n=3 10 10 3d¹⁰
4s [Xe] s orbital, shell n=4 2 2 4s²
4p [Xe] p orbitals, shell n=4 6 6 4p⁶
4d [Xe] d orbitals, shell n=4 10 10 4d¹⁰
4f f orbitals, shell n=4 4 14 4f⁴
5s [Xe] s orbital, shell n=5 2 2 5s²
5p [Xe] p orbitals, shell n=5 6 6 5p⁶
6s s orbital, shell n=6 2 2 6s²
Total 60

Noble-Gas Shorthand

[Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²

[Xe] = 54-electron xenon core (1s²…5p⁶).

Nd³⁺ Ion Configuration

[Xe] 4f³

Loses 6s² and one 4f electron on ionization to +3.

Shell Fill Summary

Shell 1 (n=1) — 1s² 2 / 2 electrons (100%)
Shell 2 (n=2) — 2s² 2p⁶ 8 / 8 electrons (100%)
Shell 3 (n=3) — 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 18 / 18 electrons (100%)
Shell 4 (n=4) — 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f⁴ 22 / 32 electrons (69%)
Shell 5 (n=5) — 5s² 5p⁶ 8 / 50 electrons (16%)
Shell 6 (n=6) — 6s² 2 / 72 electrons (3%)

Shell 4 can hold up to 32 electrons (4s + 4p + 4d + 4f). The 4f subshell is only partially filled with 4 of its possible 14 electrons.

Oxidation States Reference

State Ion Configuration Notes
0 Nd [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s² Neutral atom; ground state
+2 Nd²⁺ [Xe] 4f⁴ Rare; strongly reducing
+3 Nd³⁺ [Xe] 4f³ Most stable; dominant in compounds
+4 Nd⁴⁺ [Xe] 4f² Very rare; highly oxidizing

Summary

Neodymium (Nd) is a lanthanide rare-earth metal with atomic number 60 and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s². Its 60 electrons fill subshells through the 4f block, making it a fascinating example of f-orbital filling. This tool provides the full subshell breakdown, orbital box diagram, quantum numbers for the outermost electrons, and key physical and chemical properties including the common +3 oxidation state that governs its chemistry.

How it works

  1. Neodymium's 60 electrons fill subshells following the Aufbau principle and Madelung energy ordering.
  2. After the xenon core ([Xe] = 1s²…5p⁶, 54 electrons), 6 more electrons occupy 4f and 6s orbitals.
  3. The 4f subshell gains 4 electrons; the 6s subshell fills completely with 2 electrons.
  4. Noble-gas notation replaces the filled xenon core with [Xe], giving [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s².
  5. The 4f electrons are inner electrons shielded by the 5s and 5p shells — they rarely participate directly in bonding.
  6. The common Nd³⁺ ion loses the two 6s electrons and one 4f electron, leaving [Xe] 4f³.

Use cases

  • Quick chemistry homework reference for neodymium's electron arrangement.
  • Understand why neodymium is classified as a lanthanide (f-block) element.
  • Learn how the [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s² configuration produces the +3 oxidation state.
  • Compare neodymium to adjacent lanthanides (praseodymium Z=59, promethium Z=61).
  • Visualize 4f orbital filling across the lanthanide series.
  • Teaching aid for rare-earth chemistry and periodic-table f-block lessons.
  • Verify quantum numbers for neodymium's valence and near-valence electrons.
  • Understand the electronic basis for neodymium's use in powerful NdFeB magnets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-19 · Reviewed by Nham Vu