The f- and d- block elements

The f-block elements:

Lanthanides:
Elements 57 (Lanthanum) to 71 (Lutetium)
Also called the rare earth metals
All are metals
Have a silvery-white appearance
Are soft and malleable
React easily with oxygen, water, and acids
Form trivalent ions (3+)
The atomic masses is very close to each other.
In Lanthanide series, the number of 4f- electrons increases from one to fourteen.
Actinides:
Elements 89 (Actinium) to 103 (Lawrencium)
Also called the actinide elements
All are metals
Are radioactive Have melting points higher than lanthanides.
Have very short half lives
Form trivalent ions (3+)
In Actinide series, the number of 5f- electrons increases from one to fourteen.

Similarities between f-block elements:

All are metals
Have large atomic and ionic radii
Have low ionization energies
Form basic oxides and hydroxides
Form colored compounds
Both the series show a gradual change in the properties known as Lanthanide contraction and Actinide contraction.
Both exhibit variable oxidation states.
Differences between f-block elements:
Lanthanide ions are colorless, while actinide ions are colored.
Actinides are radioactive whereas Lanthanides are not.

The d-block elements:

Elements in the 18 Groups of the periodic table
Called transition elements because of the transitional nature of their properties.
Contains three rows that are labeled as 3d, 4d and 5d.
Elements belonging to the 3d series are called First transition series whereas those belonging to 4d and 5d are called Second and third transition series respectively.
There are ten 3d-transition elements, ranging from scandium (Sc) to zinc (Zn).
The d-block elements exhibit a wide variety of colors due to the partial filling of the d-orbitals.

Similarities between d-block elements:

Differences between d-block elements:

General properties of d- and f- block elements:

Both d and f block elements have large atomic radii
Both exhibit variable oxidation state:
Variable magnetic properties
Catalytic properties
Complex formation
Transition metals are used as alloys, while actinides are used for controlled chain reactions.