ABSTRACT
Gadolinium is a rare earth metal. Gadolinium appears as metal foil, chunks, or powder and is insoluble in water. The powder of gadolinium is highly ammable; incompatible with strong oxidising agents, halogens, acids; and reacts with water or moisture. Gadolinium is also found in alloys and special minerals known as yttrium garnets. An alloy is made by melting and mixing two or more metals. The mixture has properties different from those of the individual metals. Gadolinium alloys are easier to work with than alloys without gadolinium. Gadolinium yttrium garnets are used in microwave ovens to produce the microwaves. Gadolinium metal is not especially reactive. It dissolves in acids and reacts slowly with cold water. It also reacts with oxygen at high temperatures. Gadolinium is used in control rods in nuclear power plants. Energy produced during nuclear ssion is used to generate electricity. Nuclear ssion is the process in which large atoms (usually uranium or plutonium) break apart, releasing energy. The smaller atoms produced are called ssion products and are radioactive. Gadolinium compounds are used as phosphors in television tubes.
