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8.7 What is lanthanoid contraction? What are the consequences of lanthanoid contraction?

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On moving along the lanthanoid series, the atomic number is gradually increased by one. It means the number of electrons and protons in the atom is also increasing by one. And because of it, the effective nuclear charge increases (electrons are adding in the same shell, and the nuclear attraction overcomes the interelectronic repulsion due to the addition of a proton). Also, with the increase in atomic number, the number of electrons in orbit also increases. Due to the poor shielding effect of the electrons, the effective nuclear charge experienced by an outer electron is increased, and the attraction of the nucleus to the outermost electron is also increased. As a result, there is a gradual decrease in atomic size with an increase in atomic number. This is known as lanthanoid contraction.

Consequences of Lanthanoid Contraction:

  • Similarities in the properties of second and third transition series
  • Separation of lanthanoid can be possible due to LC.
  • Due to LC, there is variation in basic strength of hydroxide of lanthanoid. (basic strength decreases from La(OH)_{3}-Lu(OH)_{3}).

 

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