It is observed that in lanthanide series, there is a
progressive decrease in the atomic and ionic radii with increasing atomic
number. This regular decrease with increase in atomic number is called
lanthanide contraction. This is due to the weak shielding of f orbitals. These
f orbitals are unable to counter balance the effect of increasing nuclear
charge because of which the size keeps on decreasing with increase in atomic
number.
CAUSE OF LANTHANIDE
CONTRACTION:
As we move along the period from left to right in
lanthanide series, the atomic number increases that is number of protons keeps
on increasing. For every proton added in the nucleus the extra electron goes to
the same 4f orbital.
The 4f orbital shows poor shielding effect because of
which there is a gradual increase in effective nuclear charge experienced by
the outer electrons. Thus, the attraction of the nucleus for the electrons in
the outermost shell increases with atomic number.
Comments
Post a Comment