LANTHANIDE SERIES OF METALS

When you look at the periodic table you will see two rows that kind of sit off to the bottom. One of those rows is called the Lanthanide series. There are a bunch of names that you may hear that describe these 15 elements. Some say Lanthanide, some say rare-earth and some say inner-transition elements. No matter what you choose everyone will know what you mean if you say Lanthanide.

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Fifteen elements that start with lanthanum (La) at atomic number 57 and finishing up with lutetium (Lu) at number 71. It's doubtful your teachers will ever ask you to remember all of the elements in the series, just remember lanthanum.

ACTINIDE

ACTINIDE SERIES OF METALS

There are two rows under the table. The Lanthanide and Actinide series. The Lanthanide series can be found naturally on Earth. Only one element in the series is radioactive. The Actinide series is much different. They are all radioactive and some are not found in nature. Some of the elements with higher atomic numbers have only been made in labs. There are special laboratories across the world that specialize in experimenting on elements. Some of these particle accelerators have pounded (разбили) atomic particles into elements with lower atomic numbers. The buildup of additional parts creates short-lived elements.

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Fifteen elements that start with actinium (Ac) at atomic number 89 and finishing up with lawrencium (Lr) at number 103. It's doubtful your teachers will ever ask you to remember all of the elements in the series, just remember actinium.