The lanthanides and actinides are located below the main body of the table from "summary" of The Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction by Eric R. Scerri
The positioning of the lanthanides and actinides below the main body of the periodic table is a unique feature that reflects their distinct properties and characteristics. These elements are often referred to as the "inner transition metals," as they are located within the transition metal block of the table. The lanthanides are a series of 15 elements that follow lanthanum, while the actinides are a series of 15 elements that follow actinium. The placement of the lanthanides and actinides below the main body of the table is due to the need to keep the table compact and easy to read. Including these elements within the main body would make the table overly long and cumbersome. By placing them below, they can be accommodated in a more condensed form, making the table more user-friendly. Despite being located separately, the lanthanides and actinides still follow the same periodic trends and patterns as the elements in the main body of the table. They exhibit similar chemical behaviors and properties, such as the formation of ions with a 3+ charge. This continuity in properties highlights the underlying unity of the periodic table, despite the visual separation of these elements.
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