Question

Lanthanide contraction is responsible for the fact that:

• A. $Zr$ and $Y$ have about the same radius
• B. $Zr$ and $Nb$ have similar oxidation state
• C. $Zr$ and $Hf$ have about the same radius
• D. $Zr$ and $Zn$ have the same oxidation state.

Answer 1

The correct option is C $Zr$ and $Hf$ have about the same radius

Lanthanide Contraction is the result of poor shielding effect of the $4f$ electrons. Due to this, the atomic radii of $Zr$ and $Hf$ are nearly the same.