What is the Difference Between Actinides and Lanthanides?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Actinides and lanthanides are two groups of elements with unfilled f orbitals, often referred to as inner transition metals. They have some similarities, but there are key differences between them:
Lanthanides:
- Act as metals with reactivity similar to group 2 elements.
- Consist of elements with atomic numbers 58 to 71.
- Lanthanides have high melting and boiling points and react with water to produce hydrogen gas.
- They are used in optical devices, night vision goggles, petroleum refining, and alloys.
Actinides:
- Consist of elements from atomic numbers 89 to 103, with the exception of thorium and uranium, all are radioactive.
- Have dense masses and are mainly used in applications where their radioactivity can be harnessed for energy generation.
- Actinides show greater tendency to form complexes compared to lanthanides.
- They are employed in nuclear weapons, power plants, and are radioactive.
In summary, lanthanides are all metals with reactivity similar to group 2 elements and are used in various applications, while actinides are radioactive elements primarily used in applications that harness their radioactivity for energy generation.
Comparative Table: Actinides vs Lanthanides
Below is a table comparing the differences between actinides and lanthanides:
Property | Lanthanides | Actinides |
---|---|---|
Position in the periodic table | Two rows below the main body of the periodic table | Two rows below the lanthanides in the periodic table |
Atomic numbers | 58 to 71 | 89 to 103 |
Radioactivity | One lanthanide, Promethium, is radioactive | All actinides are radioactive |
Electron configuration | electrons are added to the 4f sublevel | electrons are added to the 5f sublevel |
Common names | Also known as rare earth elements | Sometimes referred to as inner transition elements |
Applications | Lanthanides are used in various applications, such as electronics, magnets, and lasers | Actinides are primarily used in nuclear chemistry and energy production |
Both lanthanides and actinides are considered inner transition elements, as they have partially filled f subshells and are placed in separate rows below the main body of the periodic table. They play significant roles in various applications, including electronics, magnets, lasers, and nuclear energy production.
- Lanthanide Contraction vs Actinide Contraction
- Transition Metals vs Metals
- Alkali Metals vs Alkaline Earth Metals
- Thorium vs Uranium
- Transition Metals vs Inner Transition Metals
- Lithium vs Other Alkali Metals
- Transition Metals vs Metalloids
- Cobalt vs Lithium
- Transuranic Elements vs Radioisotopes
- Lead vs Tungsten
- Uranium vs Plutonium
- Niobium vs Titanium
- Lithium vs Strontium Salts
- Yttrium vs Ytterbium
- Titanium vs Tungsten
- Isotopes vs Elements
- Molybdenum vs Tungsten
- Polonium vs Plutonium
- Hafnium vs Zirconium