57La138.91
Lanthanum
LanthanidesRare-earth metals used in strong magnets, phone screens and lasers.
[Xe] 5d¹ 6s²
- Atomic number
- 57
- Atomic mass
- 138.91
- Protons
- 57
- Neutrons
- 82 (most common)
- Electrons
- 57
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 18, 9, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Period 6, f-block
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byCarl Gustaf Mosander, 1839Carl Gustaf Mosander: 3 elements
Mosander found it hiding in cerium ore. The name comes from the Greek lanthanein, meaning to lie hidden.
Did you know?
- It gives the lanthanide series its name.
- Each hybrid car battery contains several kilograms of lanthanum.
Where it's found
- Monazite and bastnäsite ores
What it's used for
- High-quality camera lenses
- Hybrid car batteries
- Lighter flints
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Lanthanum. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.