Atomic number 58
Cerium
Lanthanide
In the real world
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 140.12
- Group
- –
- Period
- 6
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 1.12
- Common ox. states
- +3
Properties
Electron configuration
[Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²
- Ionization energy
- 534.4 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 50.0 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 1068.00 K (794.9 °C)
- Boiling point
- 3716.00 K (3442.8 °C)
How dangerous is it?
2/5 · Caution
The most common rare-earth metal, and the classic spark of a lighter flint. Scratch its filings and they throw sparks, which is why it is built into mischmetal flints.
- FlammableImmediate
Cerium is pyrophoric as filings or shavings and can ignite just from scratching. (as filings or powder, not the solid)
Handle powder away from anything flammable; store the solid metal sealed from air.
How it bonds· family overview
Cerium (Ce) is a lanthanide - a soft, silvery metal that almost always loses 3 electrons to form a +3 ion (Ln³⁺). Its 4f electrons sit deep below the valence shell, so chemistry across the lanthanide row is remarkably similar: oxide, fluoride, chloride salts, all in the +3 state.
