Question

Neodymium is a rare earth metal used in magnetic materials. It oxidizes readily in air and burns at about 150 °C. Neodymium is particularly useful to electrical engineers who design motors because magnets with the formula Nd2Fe14B are the strongest permanent magnets known. Dysprosium (Dy) is often included in these magnets in order to improve strength and performance in drive motors for hybrid electric vehicles.

a. Write the balanced chemical reaction for solid neodymium reacting with oxygen gas to form neodymium oxide, Nd2O3 solid. Remember to include the symbols for gases, liquids, and solids where relevant.

b. A student performed the synthesis described in (a) and isolated 12.75 g of Nd2O3. This turned out to be a 75.78% yield. What mass of Nd2O3 would have been the theoretical yield?

c. What mass of pure neodymium did the student start out with?

Answer 1