Ce
Cerium
Atomic number: 58Mass: 140.116 uCategory: Lanthanide
About Cerium
Cerium is a soft, ductile and silvery-white metal that tarnishes when exposed to air. It is the most abundant of the rare earth elements. Cerium compounds are used as catalysts and as polishing agents for glass.
Properties
Period
6
Group
N/A
Block
F
Category
Lanthanide
Electronegativity
1.12 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
534.4 kJ/mol
Melting Point
1068 K (795°C)
Boiling Point
3716 K (3443°C)
Density
6.77 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+3, +4
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s²
[Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:19e⁻
Shell 5:9e⁻
Shell 6:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Self-cleaning ovens (coating)
Glass polishing
Catalytic converters
Lighter flints
UV-cut glass
Fun Fact
The sparks you see from a lighter come from a 'misch metal' alloy containing mostly cerium — cerium sparks when struck!