Finding What Lies Beneath The Lanthanides and Actinides

Finding What Lies Beneath The Lanthanides and Actinides 

This chapter zooms in to focus on a very specific section of the periodic table, where 28 elements crowd around each other in the late stages of the transition metal group. The two rows illustrated across the bottom of the periodic table (see Chapter 2) is where you find the lanthanides and actinides. 

The chemistry of these elements is dominated by the filling of f-shell electrons. The unique thing about these elements is that there are no other sections of the periodic table where the effect of f orbitals is noted. Main group elements are dominated by chemistry of s and p orbitals (see Chapter 12), and the transition metals are dominated by chemistry of the s and d orbitals (see Chapter 13). 

In this chapter, we describe these elements that are tucked into the last row of the periodic table and some of their unique characteristics. For example, we look at how and why lanthanides undergo lanthanide contraction, how the actinide elements are mostly artificial (man made in laboratories), and how they follow trends similar to those observed in the transition metals. 

Spending Quality Time u/ith the Rare Barth Elements Lanthanides 

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Chapter 14 Finding What Lies Beneath The Lanthanides and Actinides 223... 

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