Page 112 - The Periodic Table Book

57
La Lanthanum

Discovery: 1839
57 57 82 State: Solid
Lanthanides Forms Lanthanum forms on pure metal
Black tarnish

when it comes into
contact with air.
carbonate is used to
Laboratory sample of pure lanthanum
treat patients with
kidney
disease.
Bastnasite

This reddish-brown
mineral is also found in
other colours, including
white, tan, and grey.

This metal burns
easily when ignited.

Uses
This lens can better
focus light on an object
due to the presence
of lanthanum oxide
Fluorescent lamp This lamp In its molten
in the glass.
uses lanthanum
to reduce the
yellow colour
state, lanthanum
in its light.
is used to smooth

Molten lanthanum rough diamonds. Camera lens

Although the word “lanthanum” means 100 years to find a way to purify the metal.
“to lie hidden”, it is more abundant than Today, the mineral bastnasite is a source
most metals. For example, it is three times of pure lanthanum. The element’s
more common than lead. This element was applications range from its use in film
discovered in the mineral cerite in 1839. studio lights and lens-making to
110 However, it took chemists almost another refining petroleum.

110-111_Lanthanum_Cerium_Praseodymium.indd 110 02/12/16 6:53 pm