Final answer:
The group containing rare earth metals, lanthanoids, and actinoids is known as inner transition metals, corresponding to option D). These elements are placed below the main body of the periodic table and are characterized by the filling of f-orbitals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of elements that includes rare earth metals, lanthanoids, and actinoids is known as the inner transition metals. This group falls into the categories of elements with atomic numbers from 57 to 71, which are the lanthanides, and from 89 to 103, the actinides. These two series of elements are located below the main body of the periodic table and exhibit unique properties that include their radioactive nature, especially among the actinides, and their similar chemical characteristics due to the filling of the f-orbitals.
Alkali metals are found in group 1 of the periodic table, while alkaline earth metals reside in group 2. The transition metals span from groups 3 to group 12, even though there are technical differences in groups where d orbitals are not being filled as in the case of group 12 elements. Meanwhile, noble gases make up group 18 and are distinct in their lack of reactivity compared to the inner transition metals. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D) Inner transition metals.