Cerium
Cerium, Ce, is a metallic element, which is found in the lanthanide
series of inner transition metals in
Group IIIa of the
periodic table.
- Atomic Number : 58
- Relative Atomic Mass : 140.12
- Melting Point : 800 degC
- Boiling Point : 3000 degC
- Relative Density : 6.7
Discovery
Cerium was discovered by M H Klaproth in 1803AD and Berzelius(1804).
Occurrence
Cerium, Ce, occurs in Allanite, Bastnasite, Cerite and Monazite.
Properties
- Cerium has four isotopes occur naturally: Cerium-136, Cerium-138,
Cerium-140, and Cerium-142. Fifteen radioisotopes have been identified.
- Cerium is a gray lustrous malleable metal.
- Cerium is oxidised readily in air.
- Cerium is attacked readily by acids and alkalis.
- Cerium has a variable electronic configuration, as its
inner 4f level is of almost the same energy level as its outer 3d level.
Reactions
Uses
Cerium is used
- in lighter flints,
- in the form of its oxide is used in the glass industry, and
- in the form of ceric sulphate is used in volumetric analysis.
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