M.L.M.S. Site

Periodic Table
Elemental Facts: 
Symbol
 Ce
Atomic Number
 58
Atomic Mass
 140.116
Electron Configuration
[Xe]4f 5d 6s2
2, 8, 18, 20, 8, 2
Valence Number 2
Melting Point 1071°K, 798°C, 1468°F
Boiling Point 3699°K, 3426°C, 6199°F
Family
 5
Series
 6, Lanthanoid Series
Element Classification
 Rare Earth Metals
Density
 6.773
Crystal Structure Face Centered Cubic
State of Matter
 Solid
Date of Discovery
 1803
Person Who Discovered Jons Berzelius
Wilhelm von Hisinger
Martin Klaproth
Facts about Cerium:
     Cerium was discovered in 1803 by Swedish scientists Jons Berzelius, Wilhem von Hisinger, and German scientist Martin Klaproth.  Cerium was named after the asteroid Ceres (which was named after the Greek goddess of agriculture, Ceres) which was discovered in 1801.  Cerium is a soft, gray metal.  It is found worldwide, and is the most common of the "rare earth elements."  It is found on the beaches of Travancore, India; the river sands of Brazil, Southern California, and in many minerals.  Minerals such as Monazite, Bastnasite, and Albonite are the most common mineral sources.  Monazite and bastnasite are currently the most important sources of Cerium.  It's used to make ferro-cerium, a spark metal for gas and cigarette lighters.  Ceriumoxide (CeO2) is a very important use of Cerium.  Ceriumoxide is added to glass to stabilize it against discoloration caused by X-rays and Cathode rays.  It is also good at screening out ultraviolet radiation.  Other uses for Cerium include: treating seasickness and chronic vomiting, ceramics, ae-lamp electrodes, photoelectric cells, and a catalyst in ammonia!

 
Bibliography:
1.  "1950 Cerium," The Merck Index, Rahway, New Jersey.  Merck & Co., Inc., 1976.  pg. 1960
2.  "Cerium," World Book Millennium 2000 2000: Vol. 3, pg. 362-363
3.  http://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/chem_at_cam/issue09/cerium.jpg, December 5, 2001.
4.  http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/ce.html, December 5, 2001.
5.  http://www.gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us/~/web/Lakeview/science/ce.htm, December 6, 2001
6.  http://www.pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/elements/58.html, December 5, 2001.
7,  Huheey, James E. Inorganic Chemistry: principles of structure and reactivity, New York: Harper & Row  Publishers, 1974.

 
Periodic Table Links
Cerium The Elements' History It's Elemental!: Cerium Visual Elements-Cerium

 
Created By:
 Koning 
Last Updated:
 December 13th, 2001
.