Actinides - Properties, Uses and Availability
The term actinides are derived from the first element of the series which is actinium. The actinide series are referred to with the symbol an. This series consists of a family of 15 elements that range between 89 and 103. The 15 elements that are part of the Actinides series are as follows: Actinium (Ac), Thorium (Th), Protactinium (Pa), Uranium (U), Neptunium (Np), Plutonium (Pu), Americium (Am), Curium (Cm), Berkelium (Bk), Californium (Cf), Einsteinium (Es), Fermium (Fm), Mendelevium (Md), Nobelium (No), and Lawrencium (Lr).
Scientists earlier in the 1940s believed that the heaviest atom is uranium. But due to constant innovation, advancements and discoveries, more and more elements were found and later added in the series. Together all the numerous elements are called Actinides.
There are few actinides that are present in nature, whereas some actinides are man-made. Five elements of Actinide that are naturally formed are plutonium, neptunium, thorium, protactinium, and uranium. Actinides were also formed during scientific experiments and discoveries.
Properties of Actinides
All the elements in the actinide series are heavy because of their large atomic mass. The elements belonging to this series have an atomic mass ranging from 227g/mol to 262g/mol. The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1 therefore; one can have a clear idea of comparatively how heavier these elements are.
One of the most important properties of actinides is that they are radioactive in nature. The elements in this series are highly radioactive. Radioactive refers to the breaking down of the nucleus into smaller particles. The smaller particles are Alpha particles, Beta particles as well as Gamma Particles. The elements in the Actinide series release a large amount of energy on radioactive decay. The elements of Actinides are used as nuclear reactors and in nuclear weapons. There are different uses of Uranium and Thorium. Some of the elements in the actinides series are also used as smoke detectors. Actinides are typical metals and they have properties of D block and F block elements.
There is a general configuration of Actinides which is referred to as
[Rn] 5f1-146d0-7 7s2
In this equation, Rn refers to the nearest noble gas which is Radium.
The f block of the modern periodic table consists of Lanthanides and Actinides.
Similarities Between Lanthanides and Actinides
(n-2)f subshell is used for filling and characterization of all the elements in the Lanthanides and Actinides. The electronic configuration of Lanthanides and Actinides are pretty much similar. Some of the major similarities between these two are listed below:
Lanthanides and Actinides have a prominent Oxidation State that is +3.
(n-2) f orbitals are involved in filling of these elements.
The Lanthanides and Actinides are reactive as well as electropositive.
As the atomic number of these elements increases, the ionic and atomic size decreases.
Both Lanthanides and Actinides have considerable magnetic properties.
Differences Between Lanthanides and Actinides
4f-orbitals are involved in the filling of Lanthanides, whereas the 5f-orbitals are involved in the filling of Actinides. The energy that binds this atom that is 4f is comparatively less than that of actinides which is 5f electrons. The shielding of the 5f electrons is also less when compared to that of 4f electrons. It is very easy to explain the paramagnetic properties of Lanthanides. On the other hand, in the case of Actinides, one cannot easily explain all the paramagnetic properties. Most of the Lanthanides are non-Radioactive except for Promethium. All the elements in the Actinide series are Radioactive in nature. There are several oxocation of the elements in the Actinides series whereas there is no oxocation in Lanthanides. The compounds that are formed by Actinides are very basic in nature as opposed to the compounds found by Lanthanides. The lanthanides and actinides are often called inner transition metals.
Properties of Actinides
The actinides are Metals which are typical in nature. The actinides are soft, shiny, silver in color and have a good density and plasticity. Some of the actinides can also be cut with the help of a simple knife. Thorium has a similar hardness to soft steel and can be heated to roll into sheets or pull into a wire. The properties of elements in the actinide series are the same as the d-block. They can lose to multiple electrons and form a variety of ions. Actinium has a crystalline phase and is not radioactive as well as paramagnetic. The actinides are also pyrophoric, that is they ignite spontaneously when exposed to the air.
The melting point of Actinides does not depend on the number of f electrons. Actinides react very easily because of halogens and chalcogens. Actinides having less number of 5f electrons are used for hybridization. Actinides also have a considerable number of valence States. The actinides also react with the boiling water or with the dilute acid to form the hydrogen gas. The elements of the actinide series are ductile as well as malleable. The actinides can be combined positively with the non-metals.
Availability of Actinide
The two actinide elements are found in abundance in earth's crust; they are Thorium and Uranium. One can also find small quantities of Plutonium, Neptunium in Uranium. Some of the elements in the actinide series are synthetic elements. These elements are called synthetic elements, as they are not formed naturally, they are formed due to the decay of some part of a heavier element. The actinide element tarnishes when exposed to air.
Uses of Actinides
Actinides such as Americium are used in smoke detectors. Thorium is used mainly in Gas mantles. Scientists and researchers use Actinium to carry out scientific research or study. Actinium is used as a gamma source, indicator, and neutron source. A large number of actinides are used for defense operations, nuclear weapons and for the production of energy.
Plutonium is used in nuclear reactors and for nuclear bombs as well. Many of the actinide elements are used in nuclear power plants and also for the production of electronic power. Every actinide is known for its unique atomic number and its different properties as well as characteristics. It is very important to study the chemical and physical properties of actinides to predict its reaction. The actinides do not have stable isotopes.
Conclusion
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FAQs on Actinides
1. What elements are included in the actinide series?
The actinide series consists of 15 actinide elements. The elements included in this series are generally f-block elements, except for lawrencium, which is a d-block element. The elements included in this series are namely, Actinium (Ac), Thorium (Th), Protactinium (Pa), Uranium (U), Neptunium (Np), Plutonium (Pu), Americium (Am), Curium (Cm), Berkelium (Bk), Californium (Cf), Einsteinium (Es), Fermium (Fm), Mendelevium (Md), Nobelium (No) and Lawrencium (Lr). These 15 elements represent a special group of radioactive elements. They are also sometimes known as actinoids and inner transition metals. For better understanding, register at Vedantu
2. Where can I find the actinide elements in the periodic table?
In the modern periodic table, actinide elements are present outside the main body of the periodic table. The two rows given at the button of the table separately from the main table refer to the lanthanide and actinide series. The elements in the upper row of the two rows are the lanthanide series and the elements in the bottom row of the two rows are the actinide series. These elements are placed outside the main table because they do not fit into the design of the main table and if they are adjusted in the table, the table will end up becoming wide, confusing, and three-dimensional. The elements present in these two rows are metals and are, therefore, also considered as a subset of transition metals.
3. Are the actinides present naturally?
The elements of the actinide series are not very often found in nature. Though some of these are still present, for example, thorium and uranium are found in adequate quantities in the Earth’s crust. Plutonium and neptunium are present in small quantities in the uranium orders. Decay products of certain isotopes of thorium and uranium contain elements like actinium and protactinium. The rest of the actinides may comprise part of the decay scheme of heavier elements, but are otherwise not found in nature and are, therefore, known as synthetic elements.
4. What oxidation states are possible for actinides?
There are variable oxidation states possible for actinides because of the presence of a smaller energy gap between the 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals because of the good shielding of the electrons present in f orbital. The oxidation state of actinides first increases up to the middle of the row, that is, till Np, and then gradually starts decreasing. The various oxidation states possible for actinides are:
+2 oxidation state: This oxidation state is shown by only Americium (Am). This state is studied using optical and electron spin resonance spectra.
+3 oxidation state: It is the general oxidation state for most of the elements of the actinide series. Isomorphous trifluoride and trichloride salts are obtained from elements of this series due to their +3 oxidation state.
+4 oxidation state: This is a stable oxidation state for elements up to Americium (Am). The +4 oxidation state is the principal oxidation state for Th.
+5 oxidation state: elements like Pa, U, Np, Pu, and Am exist in a +5 oxidation state. These elements exhibit their +5 oxidation state in the form of fluoro anions.
+6 oxidation state: this oxidation state is exhibited by elements like U, Np, Pu, and Am.
+7 oxidation state: this oxidation is the state shown by Np and Pu only.
5. What are the real-life examples of certain elements belonging to the actinide series?
Though most of the metals of the actinide series are not used in our everyday life there are still some real-life applications of elements like uranium, thorium, plutonium, californium, curium, and americium. The real-life examples of actinides include:
Uranium-235 is used to generate clean energy in nuclear power plants through the fission reaction because uranium is the only fissionable isotope that is present on the planet naturally.
Uranium is also used in manufacturing nuclear weaponry as the fission reaction of uranium contains a high amount of destructive power as well.
The ultradense metal left after the radioactivity of uranium is depleted is used for the formation of ammunition, armor, and ballast for ships.
Bombardment of thorium-232 gives thorium-233 which can also be used as a nuclear fuel in place of uranium.
Thorium is also used as a type of gas lantern commonly known as the Welsbach mantle because of its ability to glow with white light when heated with a gas flame.
Thorium is also used in high-temperature crucibles.
Thermoelectric generators of plutonium are also used in spacecraft that are sent on long-term missions.
Plutonium is also used in the manufacturing of atomic weaponry.
Plutonium was also an earlier option for powering pacemakers. Though, it is now not used in pacemakers.
Californium is used in detection devices for the identification of expensive metals like gold and silver.
Californium is also used for detecting the layers of oil and water in wells.
Californium is also used for the detection of metal fatigue in aircraft.
Curium and Americium can be used as spacecraft fuel because of the large amount of energy they generate.
Americium-241 is used in smoke detectors.
Americium-241 is used in brachytherapy for the treatment of cancer.
