Lanthanoid, lanthanide

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: lanthanide

Lanthanoid, also called lanthanide, any of the series of 15 consecutive chemical elements in the periodic table from lanthanum to lutetium (atomic numbers 57–71). With scandium and yttrium, they make up the rare-earth metals. Their atoms have similar configurations and similar physical and chemical behaviour; the most common valences are 3 and 4. These elements are also called the lanthanide elements.

Lutetium – Lu

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Lu

Lutetium (Lu), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table, that is the densest and the highest-melting rare-earth element and the last member of the lanthanide series.

Ytterbium – Yb

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Yb

Ytterbium (Yb), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Thulium – Tm

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Tm

Thulium (Tm), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Erbium – Er

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Er

Erbium (Er), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Holmium – Ho

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Ho

Holmium (Ho), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Dysprosium – Dy

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Dy

Dysprosium (Dy), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Terbium – Tb

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Tb

Terbium (Tb), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Gadolinium – Gd

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Gd

Gadolinium (Gd), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.

Europium – Eu

WRITTEN BYThe Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica’s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree….See Article History

Alternative Title: Eu

Europium (Eu), chemical element, a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table. Europium is the least dense, the softest, and the most volatile member of the lanthanide series.