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Viewing the lanthanides from left to right in the periodic table, the seven 4f atomic orbitals become progressively more filled (see above and Periodic table § Electron configuration table). The electronic configuration of most neutral gas-phase lanthanide atoms is [Xe]6s 2 4f n, where n is 56 less than the atomic number Z.
The lanthanides become harder as the series is traversed: as expected, lanthanum is a soft metal. Lanthanum has a relatively high resistivity of 615 nΩm at room temperature; in comparison, the value for the good conductor aluminium is only 26.50 nΩm. [28] [29] Lanthanum is the least volatile of the lanthanides. [30]
The molar gas constant (also known as the gas constant, universal gas constant, or ideal gas constant) is denoted by the symbol R or R. It is the molar equivalent to the Boltzmann constant , expressed in units of energy per temperature increment per amount of substance , rather than energy per temperature increment per particle .
The outer valence electrons are more strongly attracted by the nucleus causing the observed increase in ionization potentials. The d-block contraction can be compared to the lanthanide contraction , which is caused by inadequate shielding of the nuclear charge by electrons occupying f orbitals.
Lanthanide metals react exothermically with hydrogen to form LnH 2, dihydrides. [1] With the exception of Eu and Yb, which resemble the Ba and Ca hydrides (non-conducting, transparent salt-like compounds),they form black pyrophoric, conducting compounds [6] where the metal sub-lattice is face centred cubic and the H atoms occupy tetrahedral sites. [1]
The lanthanide ions in these complexes can readily react with oxygen and water, leading to oxidation or hydrolysis, which damages the material’s structure and reduces its efficiency. This makes handling and storage difficult, requiring protective environments like sealed containers or inert gas atmospheres.
The lanthanide contraction only partially accounts for this anomaly. [11] Because the 6s 2 orbital is contracted by relativistic effects and may therefore only weakly contribute to any chemical bonding, Hg–Hg bonding must be mostly the result of van der Waals forces. [11] [13] [14] Mercury gas is mostly monatomic, Hg(g).
The rule is based on the fact that the valence orbitals in the electron configuration of transition metals consist of five (n−1)d orbitals, one ns orbital, and three np orbitals, where n is the principal quantum number. These orbitals can collectively accommodate 18 electrons as either bonding or non-bonding electron pairs.