What is lanthanoid contraction? What are | Class 12 Chemistry Chapter The d-and f-Block Elements, The d-and f-Block Elements NCERT Solutions

Current NCERT chapter

Academic session 2026-27, Chapter 4 in the current curriculum.

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter The d-and f-Block Elements. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 2, Question 7:

What is lanthanoid contraction? What are the consequences of lanthanoid contraction?

. With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.

Question 7:

What is lanthanoid contraction? What are the consequences of lanthanoid contraction?

Answer:

As we move along the lanthanoid series, the atomic number increases gradually by one. This means that the number of electrons and protons present in an atom also increases by one. As electrons are being added to the same shell, the effective nuclear charge increases. This happens because the increase in nuclear attraction due to the addition of proton is more pronounced than the increase in the interelectronic repulsions due to the addition of electron. Also, with the increase in atomic number, the number of electrons in the 4f orbital also increases. The 4f electrons have poor shielding effect. Therefore, the effective nuclear charge experienced by the outer electrons increases. Consequently, the attraction of the nucleus for the outermost electrons increases. This results in a steady decrease in the size of lanthanoids with the increase in the atomic number. This is termed as lanthanoid contraction.

Consequences of lanthanoid contraction

(i) There is similarity in the properties of second and third transition series.

(ii) Separation of lanthanoids is possible due to lanthanide contraction.

(iii) It is due to lanthanide contraction that there is variation in the basic strength of lanthanide hydroxides (Basic strength decreases from La (OH)3 to Lu (OH)3).


Study Tips for Answering NCERT Questions:

NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:

  • Read the question carefully and focus on the core concept being asked.
  • Reference examples and data from the chapter when answering questions about The d-and f-Block Elements.
  • Review previous year question papers to get an idea of how such questions may be framed in exams.
  • Practice answering questions within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
  • Discuss your answers with your teachers or peers to get feedback and improve your understanding.

Latest Blog Posts

Stay updated with our latest educational content and study tips

How to Return to Work After a Career Break: Skills, Jobs and Preparation in 2026

It’s not about starting over if you took a break to care for children, take care of yourself, be healthy or for any other reason. This is a realistic strategy for the recovery of skills, selection of the right job, and overcoming the resume problem. One year, three years or 10 years of a career … Read more

Read More

Best Career Options After Class 12 for Average Students in 2026

There’s no need to score 95% or achieve a JEE/NEET rank. You don’t need to score 95% or rank in JEE/NEET to build a solid career. A candid and pragmatic guide to the routes that actually work for students who have an average mark and what to do when faced with the options. ​ If … Read more

Read More

Coaching vs Self-Study: Which is Best in 2026 for Competitive Exams?

AI tools, online platforms that are much cheaper than coaching centres and the changing idea of what “structure” even means have upended this argument more in the past two years than in the decade preceding it. Here’s what is really the case for 2026 – and what has actually stayed the same. If you look … Read more

Read More

Career Change After 30: How to Transition from Non-Tech to IT or Data Science

Starting to make a new career after 30 isn’t a start from scratch. Marketing, teaching, financial, retail, healthcare, sales and other professionals can pursue careers in technology by applying the existing knowledge and skills they have acquired to new technology skills. There are various ways to enter the technology industry, such as in IT support, … Read more

Read More

Related Student Tools

Comments

  • Sinchan Mallick
  • Mar 21, 2017

Consequences: ii) separation of lanthanoids is NOT POSSIBLE due to lanthanoid contraction.


Add Comment

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 2 , Question 7: What is lanthanoid contraction? What are the consequences of lanthanoid contraction?....

Ask a Question
Keep learning

Discover More on SaralStudy

Explore all articles