Applications
- Neodymium has an unusually large specific heat capacity at liquid-helium temperatures, so is useful in cryocoolers
- Probably because of similarities to Ca2+, Nd3+ has been reported to promote plant growth. Rare earth element compounds are frequently used in China as fertilizer.
- Samarium-neodymium dating is useful for determining the age relationships of rocks and meteorites.
- Size and strength of volcanic eruption can be predicted by scanning for neodymium isotopes. Small and large volcanic eruptions produce lava with different neodymium isotope composition. From the composition of isotopes, scientists predict how big the coming eruption will be, and use this information to warn residents of the intensity of the eruption.
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