What is the total no. of rare earth metals:
What is the total no. of rare earth metals:
17
12
18
14
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
To determine the total number of rare earth metals, we need to understand their classification in the periodic table.
1. Definition of Rare Earth Metals:
Rare earth metals are a set of 17 chemically similar metallic elements, consisting of:
- The 15 lanthanides (atomic numbers 57-71)
- Scandium (Sc, atomic number 21)
- Yttrium (Y, atomic number 39)
2. Breakdown of the Elements:
a) Lanthanides (15 elements):
- La (57), Ce (58), Pr (59), Nd (60), Pm (61), Sm (62), Eu (63)
- Gd (64), Tb (65), Dy (66), Ho (67), Er (68), Tm (69), Yb (70), Lu (71)
b) Other rare earths (2 elements):
- Scandium (Sc, 21)
- Yttrium (Y, 39)
3. Why These Elements Are Grouped Together:
- Similar chemical properties
- Often occur together in mineral deposits
- Comparable ionic radii
- Similar extraction and separation challenges
4. Common Misconceptions:
- Despite the name "rare", most are relatively abundant in Earth's crust (except Pm)
- They're not all equally rare - cerium is more abundant than lead
- Technically not all are "earth" metals in the traditional sense
Final Answer:
The total number of rare earth metals is 17 (15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium).
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Concepts Used:
Classification of Elements & Periodicity in Properties
Since many elements were being discovered in the 19th century and the study of these elements individually was proving difficult, classification of elements was made necessary.
Classification by Johann Dobereiner - German chemist Johann Dobereiner classified certain elements on the basis of their similar properties in the groups of continuing - three elements each. These groups were called ‘triads’. In every triad, the atomic weight of the middle element was equal to the average of the atomic weights of the first and third elements.
Newlands Law of Octaves - The elements were arranged in increasing order of their atomic weights and found that every 8th element shows similarity with the 1st element.
Mendeleev’s Periodic Table - The arrangement of all 63 elements in rows or columns in order of their atomic weight was made by Mendeleev. He left some space for corresponding elements in his periodic table which were not even discovered till then. Although he predicted the properties of those elements through his periodic classification of elements.
Modern Periodic Law - The properties of the elements of the modern periodic law are periodic functions of their atomic numbers.