Cerium
Cerium (铈, symbol Ce) is chemical element number 58, a Lanthanide in period 6 of the periodic table, with a standard atomic weight of about 140.12. Most abundant rare earth element. Used in catalytic converters and lighter flints.
Properties
| Atomic number | 58 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ce |
| Atomic mass | 140.12 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | — |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s² |
| Electronegativity | 1.12 |
| Covalent radius | 204 pm |
| Density | 6.77 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1068 K |
| Boiling point | 3716 K |
| Discovery | Berzelius & Hisinger, 1803 |
Overview
Most abundant rare earth element. Used in catalytic converters and lighter flints. Cerium (Ce) is a Lanthanide with atomic number 58, located in period 6. As a lanthanide (rare-earth) element it closely resembles its neighbours and serves in magnets, phosphors and catalysts.
With 2 electrons in its outermost shell, Cerium bonds accordingly; full configuration [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s², electronegativity 1.12. At room temperature it is normally a solid; it melts near 1068 K (794.9 °C), boils near 3716 K (3442.9 °C), has a density around 6.77 g/cm³.
Common applications range across Catalysis and Pigments / Glass. It was first described by Berzelius & Hisinger in 1803. Use the comparison tool to line it up against other elements.
Electron shells
Electrons per shell: 2 · 8 · 18 · 19 · 9 · 2
Main uses
- Catalysis
- Pigments / Glass
Hazard
Compounds containing Cerium
No compounds in this knowledge base contain Cerium yet.
Data sources
Atomic mass uses IUPAC (CIAAW) standard atomic weights; the covalent radius is from Cordero et al. (2008). Verify on the RSC Periodic Table, PubChem and Wikipedia. Educational reference only.