Name       : Neodymium
Symbol     : Nd
Atomic #   : 60
Atom weight: 144.24
Melting P. : 1021
Boiling P. : 3074
Oxidation  : +3
Pronounced : nee-eh-DIM-i-em
From       : Greek neos + didymos, "new" + "twin"
Identified : Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1885
Appearance : Silvery-white, rare-earth metal that oxidizes easily in air
Note       : The third most abundant rare-earth element
             
[Properties]

  Neodymium is reactive with both air and moisture. In dry air, it 
tarnishes to form the light-blue oxide that flakes away and exposes more
metal tha tis susceptible to further oxidation. It reacts with water to
form neodymium hydroxide and hydrogen gas - a reaction that becomes more
vigorous at higher temperatures. Because this metal is so reactive to
normal environmental conditions, it is shipped and stored in containers
of mineral oil and other nonreactive liquids.
  Neodymium, aside from being a rare-earth metal, is also a member of the
lanthanide series of elements - a series that begins with lanthanum
(element 57) and ends with lutetium (element 71).