Element Family
Lanthanide
Lanthanide
Space Group Name
P63/mmc
P63/mmc
Interesting Facts
- Lanthanum metal is highly malleable, ductile and sectile.
- If exposed to air Lanthanum metal oxidizes rapidly.
- Erbium metal is used as alloyed with Vanadium to make it softer.
- Recent studies shows that it is helpful for metabolism.
Sources
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Mining
Who Discovered
Carl Gustaf Mosander
Carl Gustaf Mosander
Discovery
In 1838
In 1842
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- It has no commercial uses, but its alloys are in high demand. Lanthanum and Nickel alloy is used for the hydrogen gas storage.
- The best-known use for mischmetal alloy of Lanthanum is; as a ‘flints’ for cigarette lighters.
- It has a tendency to get tarnished in the open air, but when alloyed with elements like erbium, vanadium, its hardness levels decreases.
- Its compounds like Erbium oxide is used in safety glasses of welders and metal workers.
Industrial Uses
Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Chemical Industry
Other Uses
Alloys, Mirror Manufacturing
Alloys
Toxicity
Low Toxic
Mildly Toxic
Present in Human Body
Yes
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery White
Silvery White
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 5d2 6s2
[Xe] 4f12 6s2
Crystal Structure
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Lanthanum.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Erbium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
Ductile
Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor