CHARACTERISTICS OF
F BLOCK ELEMENTS

• Elements are arranged below the main body of periodic table in two rows. They belong
       to 6 and 7 periods.
• The first row elements in the f block are elements between La and Hf ,including Ce-Lu
       are named as Lanthanoids.
• The second row elements in f block are Ac to Rf including Th to Lr are named as Actinoids.
• The filling of electrons takes place in the 4f subshell for the f block elements of the
       6th period and 5f subshell for the f block elements of the 7th period.
• Show variable oxidation states
• Most of the actinoids are radioactive and are artificial elements.
• Uranium(U), Thorium (Th), Plutonium (Pu) etc. are used as fuels in nuclear reactors
• Many of them are used as catalysts in the petroleum industry.