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Periodic Table

Elemental Facts: 
Symbol
 La
Atomic Number
 57
Atomic Mass
 138.7
Electron Configuration
2,8,18,18,9,2
[Xe].5d1.6s2
Valence Number 2
Melting Point 1193 oK, 921o C, 1688 °F
Boiling Point 3743 o K, 3457o C, 6278 °F
Family
 No Family
Series
 Lanthanide
Element Classification
 Rare Earth Metals
Density
 6146
Crystal Structure hexagonal close-packed
State of Matter
 Solid
Date of Discovery
 1839
Person Who Discovered Carl Mosander
Historical Facts and Elements Uses:
Uses of element: Rare earth compounds, lighter flints, Hydrogen sponge alloys, improves the alkali resistant of glass.
Descriptive paragraph and Historical fact: 
Lanthanum is a soft silvery white metallic element.  It tarnishes rapidly when exposed to the air.  It can be produced in nuclear reactors by the fissioning of uranium, thokium, or plutonium.  It comes from a greek word meaning to be hidden or concealed.  Lanthanum forms part of a alloy called misch metal, which is used in making flints for cigarette lighters. Lanthanum oxide is added to glass for camera lenses to increase the bending of light. 

 
Bibliography:
"Lanthanum" World Book Encyclopedia  c 2000 vol.12 pg. 530
http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/elements/lanthanum/key.html, 12-13-01
http://periodictable.com/pages/AAE__studentHOME.html, 12-13-01

 
Periodic Table Links

 
Created By:
 Chelsy  and Abby 
Last Updated:
 Dec. 13, 2001
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