Element category
Lanthanides
The lanthanides are the fifteen metals from lanthanum to lutetium that fill the 4f subshell, printed as the first separate row beneath the main table. Because the 4f electrons are buried deep in the atom, the whole series shares remarkably similar chemistry, dominated by the +3 oxidation state. Together with scandium and yttrium they are known as the rare earth elements.
At a glance
- Elements
- 15
- Atomic numbers
- 57 to 71
- Blocks
- f-block, d-block
- Period
- 6
- Phase at STP
- solid (15)
Shared properties
- Fill the 4f subshell, so the series shares very similar chemistry
- The +3 oxidation state dominates across the whole family
- Silvery, fairly soft metals that tarnish in air
- Essential to strong permanent magnets, phosphors and lasers