Name: Cerium

Atomic Symbol and Mass Number: Ce [58]

Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²

Atomic Radii: 181.8 pm

Electron Affinity: 50 kJ/mol

Oxidation States: +4, +3, +2, +1

Electronegativity Value: 1.12

Elemental Group: Lanthanide

Uses and Properties:

• Cerium is a malleable, soft, ductile, iron-grey metal, slightly harder than lead.

• It is very reactive: it tarnishes readily in the air, it oxidizes slowly in cold water and rapidly in hot water.

• It dissolves in acids.

• It can burn when heated or scratched with a knife.

• Cerium is a component of mischmetal, used in the manufacture of alloys for cigarette lighters.

• Cerium oxide is used in incandescent gas mantles, as a glass polishing agent and as a catalyst in self-cleaning ovens.

​

Lewis Diagram: