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lanthanide
Any member of a group of rare, metallic elements with atomic numbers from 57 (lanthanum) to 71 (lutetium) inclusive, in which the 4f orbitals are being filled. The lanthanides are: lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu). The properties of these metals are all very similar and resemble those of aluminum. Except for promethium, the lanthanides are not uncommon – the normal source is monazite which contains 90% La, Ce, Pr, Nd in its lanthanide contents.
See also rare earth element.
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• INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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