Lanthanum (La)
Lanthanum is the first element in the lanthanide series. It is used in camera lenses, catalysts, and hybrid car batteries.
Properties of Lanthanum
- Atomic number
- 57
- Category
- Lanthanide
- Atomic mass
- 138.91 u
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 5d¹ 6s²
- Melting point
- 1193 K (919.85 °C)
- Boiling point
- 3737 K (3463.85 °C)
- Density
- 6.145 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.1
- Appearance
- Silvery-white metal
- Discovered by
- Carl Gustaf Mosander (1839)
Facts about Lanthanum
- Lanthanum means "to lie hidden" because it was hidden inside another mineral!
- The entire lanthanide series is named after lanthanum!
- Lanthanum is used in the battery of the Toyota Prius hybrid car!
- Lanthanum is used in high-quality camera and telescope lenses!