Periodic table › Lanthanum
1. Identity and classification
Silvery-white, malleable, electropositive rare-earth metal that tarnishes in air
- Name and symbol
- Lanthanum (Lanthanum) · La
- Atomic number
- 57
- Relative atomic weight / mass number
- 138.91 ± 0.01
- Group · period · block
- 3 · 6 · f
- Category
- Lanthanoid
- State near room temperature
- Solid
- Stable isotopes
- At least one stable isotope
- CAS number
- 7439-91-0
Square brackets [A] indicate a representative isotope mass number, not an average atomic weight. Neutron counts differ between isotopes.
2. Atomic structure and electron configuration
- Protons · electrons in a neutral atom
- 57 · 57
- Neutrons in reference isotope
- 82 (139La)
- Full electron configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s²- Abbreviated configuration
[Xe]6s² 5d¹- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 9, 2
- Listed oxidation states
- +3
- Electronegativity
- 1.1 (Pauling)
- First ionization energy
- 538.099 kJ/mol · 5.577 eV
- Electron affinity
- 48.243 kJ/mol
- Covalent radius
- 207 pm
- van der Waals radius
- 240 pm
Configurations of superheavy elements may include theoretical predictions. Different definitions of atomic radius are not interchangeable.
3. Physical and thermal properties
- Density
- 6.15 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1191 K · 917.85 °C · 1684.13 °F
- Boiling point
- 3737 K · 3463.85 °C · 6266.93 °F
- Crystal structure
- Hexagonal
- Specific heat
- 0.195 J/(g·K)
- Thermal conductivity
- 13.4 W/(m·K)
- Enthalpy of fusion
- 6.2 kJ/mol
- Enthalpy of vaporization
- 400 kJ/mol
- Magnetic ordering
- Paramagnetic
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Speed of sound
- 2475 m/s
Density and structure depend on temperature, pressure and allotrope. 25°C is a room-temperature reference, not STP. Unestablished values are not zero.
4. Chemical behavior and compounds
The +3 state is common in this series, with important element-specific exceptions.
Selected compounds: LaO / La₂O₃ (Oxide) · LaClₙ (Chloride) · LaFₙ (Fluoride)
Reaction reference
Many members oxidize in air; behavior depends on the element and oxidation state.
Water reactivity varies across this series and with surface conditions.
5. Isotopes
| Isotope | Status | Natural abundance | Half-life |
|---|---|---|---|
| 138La | Radioactive | 0.08881% | 1.03E+11 Y |
| 139La | Stable | 99.91119% | Stable |
| 140La | Radioactive | — | 1.67858 d |
Half-life units: s seconds, m minutes, h hours, d days, Y years. A dash means no natural-abundance value is given, not zero. Listed records are selected ground states; metastable states are distinct.
6. Discovery and occurrence
- Discovery
- 1839 CE
- Scientists associated with discovery
- Carl Gustaf Mosander
- Location
- Sweden (Stockholm)
- Origin
- Natural
- Listed crustal abundance
- Not established
Minerals and naming reference
Bastnäsite, Monazite
Named from scientific/historical roots associated with Lanthanum (La), discovered or characterized by Carl Gustaf Mosander.
7. Applications
High-refractive-index camera and telescope lenses, NiMH hybrid vehicle batteries, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) petroleum catalysts
Detailed applications by field
- everyday
- High-refractive-index camera and telescope lenses, NiMH hybrid vehicle batteries, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) petroleum catalysts
- industry
- Used in lanthanoid processing, specialized alloys, and chemical manufacturing (High-refractive-index camera and telescope lenses, NiMH hybrid vehicle batteries, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) petroleum catalysts).
- electronics
- Applied in electronic components, semiconductors, or functional coatings where Lanthanum's electronic structure ([Xe] 5d¹ 6s²) provides target conductivity.
- medicine
- Diagnostic imaging, biomedical instrumentation, or pharmaceutical synthesis research.
- energy
- Utilized in power generation, battery materials, catalysts, or nuclear technology involving Lanthanum.
- aerospace
- High-performance materials, structural alloys, or space instrumentation utilizing Lanthanum.
- agriculture
- Soil geochemistry analysis, trace micronutrient research, or analytical environmental monitoring.
- science
- Spectroscopic standard, crystallography, and quantum chemistry studies of Period 6 f-block elements.
8. Biological role and safety
Hazard depends on the isotope, chemical form, dose and exposure route.
Elemental substances, ions, compounds and radioisotopes can have different health effects. This is an educational reference; laboratory work requires the material safety data sheet and trained supervision.
Biological role reference
Classified as non-essential in human and biological systems.