Lutetium

LANTHANIDE

Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.

Lutetium is a chemical element with symbol Lu and atomic number 71. It is a silvery white metal, which resists corrosion in dry, but not in moist air. It is considered the first element of the 6th-period transition metals and the last element in the lanthanide series, and is traditionally counted among the rare earths.

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Quick Facts

Atomic Number 71

Period 6

Group 17

Phase Solid

Appearance silvery white

About Lanthanides

Lanthanides are shiny metallic elements with atomic numbers 57–71. They are often called 'rare-earth elements' and are used in magnets and lasers.

History

Discovered By Georges Urbain

Named By Unknown

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 174.96681

Density 9.841 g/L

Molar Heat 26.86 J/(mol·K)

Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)

Lutetium melts at 1925 K and boils at 3675 K.

Atomic Properties

Electron Config [Xe] 4f14 5d1 6s2

Electronegativity 1.27

Electron Affinity 33.4 kJ/mol

Ionization Energy 523.5 kJ/mol

Orbital Filling Diagram

This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule. Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down. Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.

Photograph

Source: Wikipedia

External Resources

Wikipedia PubChem Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Videos (YouTube)

Study Guide

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Atomic Mass

The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electron Config

The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.