NEETChemistryd and f Block Elements
What is the primary reason for the difficulty in separating Zr and Hf in nature?
Options
- ATheir different chemical reactivity
- BTheir identical atomic numbers
- CTheir almost identical radii
- DTheir abundance in nature
Correct answer
C. Their almost identical radii
Step-by-step solution
The almost identical radii of Zr (160 pm) and Hf (159 pm), a consequence of the lanthanoid contraction, account for their occurrence together in nature and for the difficulty faced in their separation