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Cerium

Metalsolid
Symbol: Ce
Atomic number: 58
Atomic mass: 140.115
Group: Lanthanide
CAS-number: 7440-45-1

Physical data
Isotopes
Other info
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Physical data

Electronic data

Shells: 2, 8, 18, 20, 8, 2
Orbitals: [Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2
Electronegativity: --, 1.1
1. Ionization potential: 5.5387 eV
2. Ionization potential: 10.851 eV
3. Ionization potential: 20.20 eV
Oxidation states: 4, 3
Electrical conductivity: 0.0115 10^6

Thermal data

Melting point: 798 °C ±3
Boiling point: 3433 °C
Specific heat: 0.19 J/gK
Heat of fusion: 5.460 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization: 414.0 kJ/mol
Thermal conductivity: 0.114 W/cmK

Steric data

Atomic radius: 2.70 Å
Ionic radius: 1.14 Å (+3)
Covalent radius: 1.65 Å
Atomic volume: 20.67 cm³/mol
Density (293 K): 6.78 g/cm³
Crystal structure: cubic face centered
cubic face centered

Isotopes

NuclideAbundance [%]MassSpinHalflifeDecay modeDecay tree
134Ce 0 134 0 3016d EC View
136Ce 0.193 135.907 1/2 -- --
138Ce 0.25 137.906 0 -- --
139Ce 0 139 3/2 137.6d EC View
140Ce 88.48 139.905 0 -- --
141Ce 0 141 7/2 32.50d β- View
142Ce 11.07 141.909 0 -- --
143Ce 0 143 3/2 1.38d β- View
144Ce 0 144 0 284.6d β-, β- View

Other info

Name origin:Named after the asteroid, Ceres, discovered two years before the element.
Description:Malleable, ductile, iron-gray metal.
Discovered by:W. von Hisinger, J. Berzelius, M. Klaproth
Year:1803
Place:Sweden/Germany
Sources:Most abundant rare earth metal. Found in many minerals like monazite sand [Ce(PO4)].
Use(s):Its oxides are used in the optics and glass-making industries. Its salts are used in the photography and textile industry. Used in high-intensity carbon lamps and as alloying agents in special metals.