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    Lanthanoids and Actinoids

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    Lanthanoids and Actinoids

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    Lanthanoids and Actinoids

    Uploaded by

    try.rishabhmaurya2675
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    LANTHANOIDS AND ACTINOIDS

    1.What is lanthanoid contraction ? What is the reason and consequences of lanthanoid contraction ?
    Ans : Regular decrease in the atomic and ionic radii of lanthanoids with increasing atomic number is called lanthanoid
    contraction . Reason : poor shielding effect of 4f electrons .
    Consequences : (i) Similarity in size of elements belonging to same group of second and third transition series , example Hf
    and Zr .
    (ii) Difficulty in separation of lanthanoids due to similar chemical properties.
    (iii) Decrease in the basic strength of hydroxide from La3+ to Lu3+ , thus La(OH)3 is most basic whereas Lu(OH)3 .

    2.Give reason for the following :


    (i) Europium (II) is more stable than cerium (II).
    (ii) Actinoids ions are generally coloured .
    (iii) Actinoids contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction.
    (iv) Which out of the two , La(OH)3 and Lu(OH)3 , more basic and why ?
    (v) Lanthanoids are paramagnetic in nature ?
    (vi) Why is separation of lanthanoids difficult ?
    (vii) Eu2+ is a strong reducing agent .
    (viii) Ce4+ or Tb4+ is a strong oxidizing agent .
    (ix) La3+ (Z=57) and Lu3 (Z=71) do not show any colour in the solutions .
    (x) Sm2+ , Eu2+ and Yb2+ ions are good reducing agents in solution
    Ans : (i) Eu (II) = 4f7 , half filled stable configuration ,therefore it is more stable .
    (ii) Unpaired electrons are present in their ions which undergo f – f transition .
    (iii) due to poor shielding effect of 5f than 4f electrons .
    (iv) La(OH)3 is more basic than Lu(OH)3 . As the size of lanthanoid ion decreases from La3+ to Lu3+ , covalent character of
    hydroxide increases . Hence, basic strength decreases.
    (v)All lanthanoids except La3+ and Lu3 contain unpaired electrons and hence are paramagnetic .
    (vi) Due to lanthanoid contraction they have similar atomic and ionic radii and hence similar chemical properties .
    (vii) Eu2+ can lose electron to form more stable Eu3+ .
    (viii) Ce4+ or Tb4+ can easily gain one electron to form more stable +3 oxidation state .
    (ix) La3+ (Z=57) has empty 4f0 orbital and Lu3 (Z=71) has fully filled 4f14 orbital and therefore f – f transition is not possible .
    (x) Sm2+ , Eu2+ and Yb2+ can easily loose one electron to form more stable +3 oxidation state .

    3.The Actinoids contraction differs from lanthanoid contraction ? Explain .


    Ans : Actinoids contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction , due to poor shielding effect
    of 5f than 4f electrons .

    4. The + 3 oxidation state of lanthanum (Z = 57 ), gadolinium (Z =64 ) and lutetium ( Z= 71 ) are especially stable . Why ?
    Ans : In the +3 oxidation state , they have empty , half – filled and completely filled 4f sub – shell respectively .

    5. Why Zr and Hf or Nb and Ta exhibit similar properties ? OR Zirconium ( atomic number 40 ) and Hafnium ( atomic
    number 72 ) occur together in minerals and they exhibit similar properties . Give reasons .
    Ans : Due lanthanoid contraction Hf has size similar to Zr . Hence , their properties are similar and therefore occur
    together . For the same reason Nb and Ta have similar size and hence similar properties .

    6. One among the lanthanoids , Ce (III) , can be easily oxidized to Ce (IV) . Explain why ?
    OR Of the lanthanoids , cerium forms a tetrapositive ion Ce4+ in aqueous solution. Why ?
    Ans : Ce (III) = 4f 5d0 6s0 , can easily loose an electron to acquire 4f0 configuration to form Ce (IV) .
    1
    7. Which is the most common oxidation state of lanthanoids ?
    Ans : +3

    8. What is the basic difference between the electronic configuration of transition and inner transition elements ?
    Ans : In transition elements last electron enters d – orbitals of penultimate shell while in inner transition elements it
    enters f – orbital of ante – penultimate shell .

    9. Write the electronic configuration of Gadolinium (Z = 64 ) and its most stable oxidation state .
    Ans : Gd = [xe] 4f7 5d1 6s2

    10. There is a greater range of oxidation states among the actinoids than among the lanthanoids . Why ?
    Ans : In actinoids there very small energy gap between 5f , 6d and 7s subshell . Hence , all their electrons can take part in
    bond formation . In lanthanoids energy gap between 4f and 5d is large . Hence , all their electrons can not take part in
    bond formation .

    11. What is Misch metal ? Give its one use .


    Ans : Alloy of lanthanoid which contain 95 % lanthanoid metal and 5 % iron along with traces of C , S , Ca , and Al . It is
    used in Mg based to produce bullets , shells and lighter flints .

    12. What is actinoid contraction ? What causes actinoid contraction ?


    Ans : Regular decrease in the atomic and ionic radii of actinoid with increasing atomic number is called actinoid
    contraction . Reason : poor shielding effect of 5f electrons

    13. Why is chemistry of actinoids complicated as compared to lanthanoids ?


    Ans : They show a wide range of oxidation states and are radioactive.

    14. Actinoids show wide range of oxidation states . Why ?


    Ans : In actinoids there very small energy gap between 5f , 6d and 7s subshell . Hence , all their electrons can take part in
    bond formation

    15. Name a member of the lanthanoid series which is well known to exhibit +2 oxidation state and + 4 oxidation state .
    Ans : Eu2+ due to exactly half filled 4f7 configuration and Yb2+ due to completely filled 4f14 configuration .
    Ce4+ due to 4f0 and Tb4+ due to 4f7 configuration .

    16. Which compound is generally used in making optical glasses such as crooke’s lenses which protect eyes against UV
    light ?
    Ans : Lanthanum oxide ( La2O3 )

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