Elements for Kids

Lanthanides and Actinides

The lanthanides and actinides are groups of elements in the periodic table. They are the elements that are often listed below the main section of the periodic table. There are thirty total elements in the lanthanides and actinides. They are often called the "inner transition metals."

Lanthanides

The lanthanides are the elements with atomic numbers from 57 to 71. These 15 metals (along with scandium and yttrium) are often called the rare earth elements. They are all silvery-white metals which are often found in the same ores. They are called the lanthanides because they exhibit similar chemical properties to lanthanum, the first element in the group.

Actinides

Actinides are the 15 elements with atomic numbers from 89 to 103. They are named after the first element in the series, actinium. The actinides group includes mostly man-made elements with only a few exceptions such as uranium and thorium. The actinides are most known for the elements uranium and plutonium which are used in nuclear reactors and nuclear bombs.

Interesting Facts about Lanthanides and Actinides

The lanthanides and actinides are located mostly in the "f-block" of the periodic table.
Lanthanides are used in products such as hybrid cars, superconductors, and permanent magnets.
The actinide americium is used in smoke detectors.
Elements that have an atomic number greater than uranium (92) are often called "transuranium." Many of these elements are man-made under the conditions of nuclear reactors.
The first actinides discovered were uranium and thorium.
The name "actinium" comes from the Greek word "aktis" which means beam or ray.
Both actinides and lanthanides are highly reactive with elements from the halogen group.
All of the lanthanides have at least one stable isotope except for promethium.
None of the actinides have a stable isotope. They are all radioactive.

More on the Elements and the Periodic Table

Elements
Periodic Table

Alkali Metals
Lithium
Sodium
Potassium

Alkaline Earth Metals
Beryllium
Magnesium
Calcium
Radium

Transition Metals
Scandium
Titanium
Vanadium
Chromium
Manganese
Iron
Cobalt
Nickel
Copper
Zinc
Silver
Platinum
Gold
Mercury

Post-transition Metals
Aluminum
Gallium
Tin
Lead

Metalloids
Boron
Silicon
Germanium
Arsenic

Nonmetals
Hydrogen
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Phosphorus
Sulfur

Halogens
Fluorine
Chlorine
Iodine

Noble Gases
Helium
Neon
Argon

Lanthanides and Actinides
Uranium
Plutonium

More Chemistry Subjects

Matter
Atom
Molecules
Isotopes
Solids, Liquids, Gases
Melting and Boiling
Chemical Bonding
Chemical Reactions
Radioactivity and Radiation

Mixtures and Compounds
Naming Compounds
Mixtures
Separating Mixtures
Solutions
Acids and Bases
Crystals
Metals
Salts and Soaps
Water

Other
Glossary and Terms
Chemistry Lab Equipment
Organic Chemistry
Famous Chemists

Science >> Chemistry for Kids >> Periodic Table

US History
Native Americans
Colonial America
American Revolution
Industrial Revolution
American Civil War
Westward Expansion
The Great Depression
Civil Rights Movement
Pre-1900s
1900 to Present
US Government
US State History

Homework
Animals
Math
History
Biography
Money and Finance

Biography
Artists
Civil Rights Leaders
Entrepreneurs
Explorers
Inventors and Scientists
Women Leaders
World Leaders
US Presidents

Games
Math Games
Puzzle Games
Word Games
Geography Games
Classic Games
Sports Games
Arcade Games
Typing Games

World History
Ancient Africa
Ancient China
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Rome
Middle Ages
Islamic Empire
Renaissance
Aztec, Maya, Inca
French Revolution
World War 1
World War 2
Cold War
Art History

Science
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics

Geography
United States
Africa
Asia
Central America
Europe
Middle East
North America
Oceania
South America
Southeast Asia

Fun Stuff
Arts and Crafts
Holidays
Jokes for Kids
Movies
Music
Sports