Lanthanum is a soft lanthanide used in optical glass, catalysts, battery electrodes, and several specialised alloys.
Atomic number
57
Category
Lanthanide
Period
6
Group
f-block
State
Solid
Fun facts about Lanthanum
Its name refers to being hidden among chemically similar rare-earth elements.
Lanthanum oxide raises the refractive index of optical glass.
Lanthanum-nickel alloys can reversibly store hydrogen.
Common uses of Lanthanum
Camera and telescope glass
Petroleum catalysts
Nickel-metal hydride batteries
Where Lanthanum sits in the periodic table
Lanthanum belongs to the lanthanide series in period 6 and the f-block of the periodic table. Under the conditions represented in this reference, its state is solid.
Quick chemistry revision
For quick revision, pair the symbol La with atomic number 57 and the listed atomic mass 138.91. The summary, facts, and uses above keep those element properties together in one reference.