Lanthanides

Rare earth metals with atomic numbers 57-71. Soft, silvery metals with high magnetic susceptibility.

Discovery Period: 18th to 20th century (1787-1947)

Characteristics

• • Similar chemical properties
• • Silvery-white metals
• • High magnetic susceptibility
• • Form +3 ions typically
• • Used in magnets and electronics
• • Difficult to separate from each other