Lanthanide (Noun)
Meaning
Any element of the lanthanide series (atomic numbers 57 through 71).
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The lanthanide elements are used in the production of specialized glasses and ceramics due to their unique optical properties.
- Cerium is a lanthanide that is used as a catalyst in the petroleum industry to improve the refining process.
- The lanthanide series includes 15 elements, all of which are soft, silvery-white metals that are highly reactive.
- Neodymium is a lanthanide that is used in the production of strong permanent magnets, which are used in applications such as wind turbines and electric motors.
- The lanthanide elements are often used in phosphors, which are materials that emit light when excited by radiation or electrical energy.