Definition and Electronic Configuration of d- and f-Block Elements
Learn what transition (d-block) and inner transition (f-block) elements are, their position in the periodic table, and how to write their electronic configurations, including for ions.
Why this shows up in the exam
NEET and JEE often test your understanding of definitions, periodic trends, and electron configurations for these elements.
How NEET tests this
Practise it
These are real questions from past NEET papers that test this exact idea.
Gadolinium belongs to 4f series. Its atomic number is 64. Which of the following is the correct electronic configuration of gadolinium?
Push further
More challenging14 harder questions built from the past papers above — a step up in difficulty, with distractors designed so you can't get there by elimination. Written and checked by our reviewers, not from a real paper.
Among the given ions, identify the one with the maximum number of unpaired d-electrons.
More from The d- and f-Block Elements
Oxidation States and Redox Behavior
Study the variable oxidation states of d- and f-block elements, their stability, and how these relate to redox reactions and electrode potentials.
Redox Reactions of Permanganate and Dichromate
Master the redox reactions, stoichiometry, and n-factor calculations involving KMnO₄ and K₂Cr₂O₇ in different media.
Magnetic Properties of d- and f-Block Elements
Understand how to calculate and compare magnetic moments, relate them to unpaired electrons, and distinguish between paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and ferromagnetic behavior.
Properties and Oxidation States of Lanthanoids and Actinoids
Explore the electronic configurations, oxidation states, magnetic and spectral properties, and chemical behavior of lanthanoids and actinoids.
Colour of Transition and Inner Transition Metal Ions
Learn why d- and f-block ions and complexes are colored, focusing on d-d and f-f transitions and the role of electronic configuration.
Lanthanoid Contraction and Its Consequences
Understand the concept of lanthanoid contraction, its causes, and its effects on atomic/ionic radii and properties of subsequent elements.