Actinoids
Compared to lanthanoids, actinoids show a wider range of oxidation states mainly because:
Select the correct option:
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More d- and f-block elements Practice Questions
When potassium permanganate acts as an oxidising agent in acidic medium, to which oxidation state is...
When potassium permanganate acts as an oxidising agent in acidic medium, to which oxidation state is...
Why is the Cu^+ ion diamagnetic while the Cu^2+ ion is paramagnetic, even though both are ions of th...
Why is the Cu^+ ion diamagnetic while the Cu^2+ ion is paramagnetic, even though both are ions of th...
The Fe^3+ ion in an octahedral field with weak ligands has five unpaired electrons; what is its appr...
The Fe^3+ ion in an octahedral field with weak ligands has five unpaired electrons; what is its appr...
Transition metals readily form alloys with one another; which property of their atoms primarily make...
Transition metals readily form alloys with one another; which property of their atoms primarily make...
Transition metals generally have high melting points compared with s-block metals; what type of bond...
Transition metals generally have high melting points compared with s-block metals; what type of bond...
In the laboratory preparation of potassium permanganate from pyrolusite, the intermediate potassium ...
In the laboratory preparation of potassium permanganate from pyrolusite, the intermediate potassium ...
The standard reduction potential of the Mn^3+/Mn^2+ couple is unusually high and positive; what elec...
The standard reduction potential of the Mn^3+/Mn^2+ couple is unusually high and positive; what elec...
Actinoids show a much wider range of oxidation states than lanthanoids; what is the main reason for ...
Actinoids show a much wider range of oxidation states than lanthanoids; what is the main reason for ...
In an acidified potassium dichromate solution used for oxidation, what colour change indicates the r...
In an acidified potassium dichromate solution used for oxidation, what colour change indicates the r...
Zinc is often regarded as not being a typical transition element despite lying in the d-block; what ...
Zinc is often regarded as not being a typical transition element despite lying in the d-block; what ...
The most common and stable oxidation state shown by the majority of the lanthanoid elements in their...
The most common and stable oxidation state shown by the majority of the lanthanoid elements in their...
Why is the +2 oxidation state of manganese particularly stable compared with the +2 states of neighb...
Why is the +2 oxidation state of manganese particularly stable compared with the +2 states of neighb...
About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- d- and f-block elements
- Topic
- actinoids
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
5f, 6d and 7s orbitals are close in energy
In actinoids, the energies of 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals are comparable. Therefore, varying numbers of electrons from these orbitals can participate in bonding, resulting in multiple oxidation states. Lanthanoids largely show +3 due to relatively less participation variability of 4f electrons. Thus orbital energy closeness explains the broader oxidation state range in actinoids.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter d- and f-block elements, covering the topic of actinoids. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse d- and f-block elements questions on RankGuru.