Q. Objectives of transition elements of the f-block?

After studying this unit you should be able to:

• distinguish between transition and inner-transition elements,
• describe the terms lanthanides and actinides,
• evaluate the electronic configurations of lanthanide and actinide ions from the electronic configurations of free atoms,
• show the ways in which actinide elements resemble their lanthanide Eongeners,
• show the ways in which the actinides resemble more closely d-block transition elements,
• illustrate lanthanide and actinide contraction,
• Explain general characteristics of lanthanide and actinide elements and bring out periodicity in their properties.