General electronic configuration of lanthanides is

Options

A. `(n-2)f^(1-14) (n-1)s^2p^6 d^(0-1)ns^2`
B. `(n-2)f^(10-14) (n-1)d^(0-1) ns^2`
C. `(n-2)f^(0-14) (n-1)d^10 ns^2`
D. `(n-2)d^(0-1) (n-1)f^(1-14)ns^2`

Answer

To determine the general electronic configuration of lanthanides, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Series**:
- Lanthanides are a series of elements that include atomic numbers from 57 (Lanthanum) to 71 (Lutetium).

2. **Understanding the Electron Configuration**:
- The general electronic configuration for lanthanides involves filling of the 4f subshell.

3. **Write the Configuration**:
- The general electronic configuration can be expressed as:
- \( [Xe] \, 6s^2 \, 4f^{1-14} \)
- Here, \( [Xe] \) represents the electron configuration of Xenon, which is the nearest noble gas preceding the lanthanides.

4. **Include the Shells**:
- In terms of principal quantum numbers, the configuration can be represented as:
- \( n-2 \, f^{1-14} \, n-1 \, s^2 \)
- Where \( n \) corresponds to the principal quantum number of the outermost shell.

5. **Final Configuration**:
- Therefore, the general electronic configuration of lanthanides can be summarized as:
- \( n-2 \, f^{1-14} \, n-1 \, s^2 \)

### Conclusion:
The correct answer is:
**General electronic configuration of lanthanides is \( n-2 \, f^{1-14} \, n-1 \, s^2 \)**.