What are the similarities and differences between the lanthanides series and the actinide series?
Answers
Definition
Actinides: Actinides are chemical elements that can be found in the actinide series of the f block in the periodic table of elements.
Lanthanides: Lanthanides are chemical elements that can be found in the lanthanide series of the f block in the periodic table of elements.
Atomic Numbers
Actinides: The atomic number of actinides ranges from 89 to 103.
Lanthanides: The atomic number of lanthanides ranges from 57 to 71.
Position in the Periodic Table
Actinides: Actinides are in the actinide series of the f block in the periodic table.
Lanthanides: Lanthanides are in the lanthanide series of the f block of the periodic table.
Radioactivity
Actinides: Actinides are radioactive elements.
Lanthanides: Lanthanides are non-radioactive elements (except Promethium).
Oxidation States
Actinides: Actinides can have a maximum of +6 oxidation state.
Lanthanides: Lanthanides can have a maximum of +4 oxidation state.
Valence Electrons
Actinides: The valence electrons of the actinides are in the 5f orbital.
Lanthanides: The valence electrons of the lanthanides are in the 4f orbital.
Summary
Actinides and lanthanides are chemical elements that can be found in the f block of the periodic table. Actinides are radioactive elements. Lanthanides are non-radioactive elements with some exceptions. The main difference between actinides and lanthanides is that actinides can form complexes easily whereas lanthanides do not form complexes easily.