Write the uses of lanthanides and actinides.

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> [!TLDR]
> Lanthanides find use largely in alloys, catalysts, glass and optical/magnetic materials, while actinides — being radioactive — are used chiefly as nuclear fuels and in specialised radioisotope applications.
>
> **Uses of Lanthanides:**
> 1. **Mischmetal** — an alloy of a lanthanide metal (~95%, mainly Ce) with iron and traces of S, C, Ca, Al — is used to make **cigarette-lighter flints** and in magnesium-based alloys used for jet-engine parts and tracer bullets.
> 2. As **deoxidisers and desulphurisers** in the manufacture of alloy steels and cast iron, improving mechanical properties.
> 3. Oxides such as $CeO_2$ are used as **catalysts** in the petroleum cracking (fluid catalytic cracking) industry and in self-cleaning catalytic converters.
> 4. Used in the **glass industry** — for polishing (cerium oxide polishing powder for lenses/mirrors), and to decolourise or specially colour glass (glass that absorbs UV/IR).
> 5. Compounds are used as **phosphors** in colour television screens, fluorescent lamps, and X-ray intensifying screens; some (e.g. Nd$^{3+}$-doped YAG) are used in **solid-state lasers**.
> 6. Alloys such as **SmCo$_5$ and Nd$_2$Fe$_{14}$B are used to make powerful permanent magnets** used in electric motors, headphones, and hard-disk drives.
>
> **Uses of Actinides:**
> 1. **Uranium ($^{235}U$) and Plutonium ($^{239}Pu$)** are used as **nuclear fuel** in nuclear power reactors (controlled fission) and in nuclear/atomic weapons.
> 2. **$^{238}Pu$** is used in **radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs)**, providing long-lived power for spacecraft/deep-space probes and, historically, cardiac pacemakers. …

Q.Write the uses of lanthanides and actinides.

Concept understanding — Comparison of Lanthanoids and Actinoids

Q.Write the uses of lanthanides and actinides.

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