Class 12 Chemistry simulations · The d- and f-Block Elements

Lanthanoid contraction

Step across the lanthanoids and see the steady decrease in the size of Ln³⁺ ions.

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What to notice

The radius falls from La³⁺ (103 pm) to Lu³⁺ (86 pm); as a result Zr and Hf of the next row are almost the same size.

Key relation

4f electrons shield poorly → effective nuclear charge rises → ions shrink

Try this

How much smaller is Lu³⁺ than La³⁺?

What you can change

• Ion: 1 to 15

More in The d- and f-Block Elements

• Colour and magnetism of 3d ions

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