The lanthanoids (or lanthanides) are a series of 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, starting with lanthanum. They are often referred to as the rare earth elements and are characterized by the progressive filling of the 4f electron subshell.

The elements with atomic numbers 58 (Cerium) to 71 (Lutetium) are known as the Lanthanoids or Lanthanides. These elements are characterized by the filling of the 4f subshell and are placed in a separate series below the main body of the periodic table.

The actinoid series consists of elements with atomic numbers 89 through 103. Thorium (90), Nobelium (102), and Fermium (100) are all members of this series. Terbium, however, has an atomic number of 65 and belongs to the lanthanide series (elements 57-71). Therefore, Terbium is a lanthanide, not an actinide.

Neptunium (Np) is an actinide, which belongs to the f-block of the periodic table, specifically the inner transition elements. Zirconium (Zr), Technetium (Tc), and Rhenium (Re) are all d-block elements, which are classified as transition metals.

Radioactive decay involves the unstable nucleus of an atom releasing energy in the form of ionizing radiation. The three most common types of emissions are alpha (α) particles, beta (β) particles, and gamma (γ) rays, which possess high energy and can penetrate matter to varying degrees.

Actinium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Ac and atomic number 89. It is the first element in the actinide series, which is a group of 15 metallic elements ranging from actinium to lawrencium in the periodic table.

Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral that serves as a major source of rare-earth elements and thorium. It is typically found in beach sands and is economically significant for the extraction of thorium and lanthanides.

The series of 14 elements following actinium (atomic numbers 90 to 103) are known as the actinides or actinoids. These elements are characterized by the filling of the 5f electron subshell. Like the lanthanides, they are placed in a separate row at the bottom of the periodic table to maintain the table's structure and group consistency.

The actinide series consists of elements with atomic numbers 90 through 103, starting after actinium (Z=89) and filling the 5f electron subshell.

Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral that contains rare-earth elements. It is the most important commercial source of thorium, which is extracted from the mineral during the processing of rare-earth metals.