Gadolinium complexes are ingested by people to help with medical imaging in MRI’s.  The formula for two of these complexes is C16H25GdN4O8 (Dotarem) and C28H54GdN5O20 (Magnevist).   next element                                         previous element

    Europium can be found in Euro banknotes!  This imparts a visible emission from these banknotes.  Europium is also used in television phosphors to impart a red emission.   next element                                         previous element

    Samarium alloys are used in guitar pickups.   next element                                         previous element

    Promethium is named after Prometheus, the character in Greek mythology who stole fire from Mount Olympus.   next element                                         previous element

    Neodymium is used in the strongest magnets known (neodymium magnets).  These magnets are made from an alloy of neodymium, boron and iron (Nd2Fe14B).   next element                                         previous element

    Praseodymium absorbs yellow light very well.  Welders use it in their goggles so as to block the bright yellow flame of a blow torch.  This allows the welders to more easily see what they are welding. next element                               […]

Cerium is used in self-cleaning ovens, where it catalyzes the breakdown of hydrocarbons to prevent their buildup within the oven.  A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a reaction by participating in the reaction, but the catalyst is not used up during the reaction. next element                 […]

  Lanthanum is used in mischmetal, which is an alloy of rare earth metals.  Commonly 50% Ce and 25% La with other elements.  Mischmetal is used as the flint in lighters.   next element                                         previous […]

  Barium is what you do when somebody dies…get it?   next element                                         previous element

    Cesium is very rare.  However, if one could find a lump of solid cesium and throw it in water, it would certainly make an entertaining explosion.  We can predict this due to cesium’s position on the table.  It is in the alkali metal family, and therefore reacts similarly to other alkali metals.  Alkali […]