Investigation topic 1: Endangered elements in the periodic table
Today’s chemists are involved in many branches of chemistry, covering all 118 elements in the periodic table. Some of these elements are now considered to be critical and endangered, particularly due to the prevalence of modern technologies that rely on many different scarce minerals. It has been estimated that 44 elements will soon be, or are already, facing supply limitations, making a future of continuing technological advancement uncertain.
Questions that may be explored in this investigation include:
· Based on their usefulness for society, how would you compare the value of lanthanoids and actinoids with the value of other metal groups in the periodic table?
Introduction to lanthanoids and actinoids
Elements for Kids Lanthanides and Actinides
The basics with further links to the actinides are most known for the elements uranium and plutonium.
Chemistry for Kids: Elements - Lanthanides and Actinides. (2022). Ducksters.com. https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/lanthanides_and_actinides.php
History of the Periodic Table Part 4: Lanthanides and Actinides - Elemental Misfits?
Martha, G. (2014). History of the Periodic Table Part 4: Lanthanides and Actinides - Elemental Misfits? Blogspot.com. http://sciexplorer.blogspot.com/2014/02/history-of-periodic-table-part-4.html
Lanthanides: Properties and Reactions
Properties and Reactions of The Actinides
f-Block Elements. (2014, May). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Websites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/4_f-Block_Elements
Use of lanthanoids and actinoids
Uses of Lanthanoids
In the pure state, lanthanoids do not find any significant use. However, they are quite useful in the form of their alloys and compounds. Some examples are as follows:
1. Pyrophoric alloys containing rare earth metals are used to make ignition devices such as tracer bullets, shells, and lighter flints.
2. Cerium salts are used in qualitative and quantitative analysis, as well as in cotton dyeing and medicine.
3. In the petroleum industry, cerium phosphate is used as a catalyst.
4. Nd2O4Nd2O4 and Pr2O3Pr2O3 are used for colouring glass and tor making optical filters.
5. MgMg-alloys containing about 30%30% Misch metal and 1%Zr1%Zr are used for making parts of the jet engines.
Actinoids: Electronic Configuration, Oxidation states, Characteristics, Uses. (2021, August 18). Embibe Exams. https://www.embibe.com/exams/the-actinoids/#Applications-of-Lanthanoids-and-Actinoids
Ekeeda. (2019). Uses of Lanthanoids - D and F Block Elements - Chemistry Class 12 [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX2pwkXy64I
Uses of Actinoids
Actinoids in the pure state as well as in the form of their compounds find several applications. Some important applications are as follows:
1. Nuclear chemistry makes use of thorium and its compounds.
2. Uranium and plutonium are used as atomic reactor fuels.
3. ThO2ThO2 is used in the production of incandescent gas mantles.
4. Thorium salts are used in the treatment of cancer in medicine.
5. Uranium salts are used in the glass, ceramic, textile, and pharmaceutical industries.
Actinoids: Electronic Configuration, Oxidation states, Characteristics, Uses. (2021, August 18). Embibe Exams. https://www.embibe.com/exams/the-actinoids/#Applications-of-Lanthanoids-and-Actinoids
Ekeeda. (2019). Uses of Actinoids - D and F Block Elements - Chemistry Class 12 [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vJNYoBxjio&t=31s
Difference between lanthanoids and actinoids
Difference Between Lanthanoids and Actinoids
Click on the link for the website for further details.
Madhusha. (2018, January 11). Difference Between Lanthanoids and Actinoids | Definition, Chemical Reactions and Properties, Differences. Pediaa.com. https://pediaa.com/difference-between-lanthanoids-and-actinoids/#Lanthanoids%20vs%20Actinoids%20-%20Comparison%20of%20Key%20Differences
