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CHM426

Chemistry Of Lanthanides & Actinides

  • Sciences
  • 400 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 79 pages
  • 8 units

This course, Chemistry of Lanthanides and Actinides, is designed to cover the elements and their positions in the periodic table, comparing the two series and exploring lanthanide contractions. It delves into electronic configurations, oxidation states, size relationships, magnetic properties, and color. Students will learn about the chemical properties and structures of these elements and their compounds, including recovery and separation techniques, and their various applications.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
52 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Tutor marked assignments
  • End of course examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CHM426 · UNIT 2: Comparative chemistry of lanthanides and actinides

In view of its unique electronic configuration, the lanthanides and actinides are separated from the rest of the periodic Table and are placed as separate rows at the bottom of the Table (see Fig. 1).

What you should be able to do

  1. Understand the position of lanthanides and actinides in the periodic table.
  2. Explain the unique properties of lanthanides and actinides.
  3. Describe the electronic configuration of rare earth metals.
  4. Explain the nature of lanthanide and actinide contractions.
  5. Identify various uses of actinide and lanthanide elements.
  6. Compare and contrast the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Materials Scientist
  • Nuclear Chemist
  • Inorganic Chemist
  • Research Scientist
Where it is applied
  • Nuclear Power
  • Materials Science
  • Medical Imaging
  • Catalysis
  • Ceramics

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1:

    Unit 1: LANTHANIDES

    The concept of lanthanide contraction and its effects on various properties requires a deep understanding of atomic structure and periodic trends.

  • Module 2:

    Unit 1: The chemistry of actinide elements

    Understanding the variable oxidation states of actinides and their chemical behavior in different oxidation states requires a strong foundation in redox chemistry.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:
    • Unit 1: LANTHANIDES · 4 hours

      Understand electronic configurations and general physical properties of lanthanides.. Learn about ionic radius, oxidation state, and spectral properties..

  2. Week 2Module 1:
    • Unit 2: The chemistry of lanthanide ions · 4 hours

      Study the chemistry of lanthanide ions, focusing on +3, +4, and +2 oxidation states.. Explore coordination complexes, organometallic compounds, and optical properties..

  3. Week 3Module 2:
    • Unit 1: The chemistry of actinide elements · 4 hours

      Discuss the chemistry of actinide elements, including electronic configuration, atomic/ionic radius, and oxidation states.. Understand actinide contraction and its effects..

  4. Week 4Module 2:
    • Unit 2: The chemistry of uranium · 4 hours

      Study the chemistry of uranium, including physical properties of depleted uranium.. Learn about oxides, uranates, halides, and aqueous chemistry of uranium..

  5. Week 5Module 3:
    • UNIT 1: Applications of lanthanides and actinides · 4 hours

      Discuss the applications of lanthanides and actinides in various industries.. Focus on ceramic, medical, metallurgical, and nuclear applications..

  6. Week 6Module 3:
    • UNIT 2: Comparative chemistry of lanthanides and actinides · 4 hours

      Compare the chemistry of lanthanides with scandium and yttrium.. Compare the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, focusing on similarities and differences..

  7. Week 7Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Characteristics of the lanthanides · 4 hours

      Review the characteristics of lanthanides, including electronic configuration, ionic radius, and oxidation state.. Practice problems related to lanthanide chemistry..

  8. Week 8Module 1:
    • Unit 2: The chemistry of lanthanide ions · 4 hours

      Review the chemistry of lanthanide ions, focusing on the +3 oxidation state.. Practice problems related to complex formation and spectral properties..

  9. Week 9Module 2:
    • Unit 1: The chemistry of actinide elements · 4 hours

      Review the properties of actinides, including electronic configuration, atomic/ionic radius, and oxidation states.. Practice problems related to actinide contraction..

  10. Week 10Module 2:
    • Unit 2: The chemistry of uranium · 4 hours

      Review the chemistry of uranium, including physical properties, oxides, and halides.. Practice problems related to aqueous chemistry of uranium..

  11. Week 11Module 3:
    • UNIT 1: Applications of lanthanides and actinides · 4 hours

      Review the applications of lanthanides and actinides in various industries.. Focus on medical, metallurgical, and nuclear applications..

  12. Week 12Module 3:
    • UNIT 2: Comparative chemistry of lanthanides and actinides · 4 hours

      Review the comparative chemistry of lanthanides and actinides.. Focus on similarities and differences with scandium and yttrium..

  13. Week 13Module 1:
    • Final Revision · 4 hours

      Comprehensive review of all modules and units.. Focus on key concepts and problem-solving techniques..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review electronic configurations and oxidation states of lanthanides and actinides.
  • Practice problems on lanthanide and actinide contractions.
  • Understand the chemical properties of uranium and its compounds.
  • Study the applications of lanthanides and actinides in various industries.
  • Compare and contrast the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides.
  • Focus on key concepts and problem-solving techniques.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CHM426 about?

This course, Chemistry of Lanthanides and Actinides, is designed to cover the elements and their positions in the periodic table, comparing the two series and exploring lanthanide contractions. It delves into electronic configurations, oxidation states, size relationships, magnetic properties, and color. Students will learn about the chemical properties and structures of these elements and their compounds, including recovery and separation techniques, and their various applications.

How many units does CHM426 have?

CHM426, Chemistry Of Lanthanides & Actinides, has 8 units across 3 modules, over 79 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CHM426?

CHM426 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.

Is CHM426 hard?

CHM426 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does CHM426 take to study?

About 52 hours of study, spread across its 8 units.

How is CHM426 assessed?

CHM426 is assessed by tutor marked assignments and end of course examination.

What can I do with CHM426?

Materials Scientist, Nuclear Chemist, Inorganic Chemist and Research Scientist.

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