Question

The actinoids exhibit more number of oxidation states in general than lanthanoids because:

• A. the 5f orbitals are more buried than the 4f orbitals
• B. there is a similarity between 4f and 5f orbitals in their angular part of the wave function
• C. the actinoids are more reactive than the lanthanoids
• D. the 5f orbitals extend further from the nucleus than the 4f orbitals

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

the 5f orbitals extend further from the nucleus than the 4f orbitals

The distance between the nucleus and 5f orbitals (actinoids) is more than the distance between the nucleus and 4f orbitals (lanthanoids). Therefore, the hold of nucleus on valence electron decreases in actinoids. Hence, the actinoids exhibit more number of oxidation state.

Option D is correct.