58
Ce
140.12
Cerium (Ce)
Element 58 · Period 6 · Lanthanide series
lanthanide
solid at room temp
f-block
About Cerium
Most abundant rare earth. Used in catalytic converters, glass polishing, and lighter flints.
Physical Properties
Atomic Mass
140.12 u
State at 25°C
Solid
Melting Point
798 °C
Boiling Point
3443 °C
Density
6.77 g/cm³
Magnetism
Paramagnetic
Atomic Properties
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²
Electron Shells
2, 8, 18, 19, 9, 2
Electronegativity
1.12
Atomic Radius
235 pm
Ionization Energy
534 kJ/mol
Oxidation States
+3, +4
Discovery & History
Discovered By
Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Discovery Year
1803
Named By
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
Name origin: Dwarf planet Ceres
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Cerium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
- Cerium is classified as a lanthanide.
- What state is Cerium in at room temperature?
- Cerium is a solid at standard room temperature (25°C).
- What is the atomic mass of Cerium?
- Cerium has an atomic mass of 140.12 atomic mass units (u).
- Who discovered Cerium?
- Cerium was discovered by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1803.
- Where is Cerium on the periodic table?
- Cerium is element number 58, located in period 6, part of the lanthanide series shown below the main table.