Cerium
Name: Cerium
Symbol: Ce
Atomic Number: 59
Mass fraction of the earth’s shell: 43 ppm
Melting Point: 795 °C
Boiling Point: 3470 °C
Electrical Conductivity: 1,15· 106 A·V−1·m−1
Name: Cerium
Symbol: Ce
Atomic Number: 59
Mass fraction of the earth’s shell: 43 ppm
Melting Point: 795 °C
Boiling Point: 3470 °C
Electrical Conductivity: 1,15· 106 A·V−1·m−1
HISTORY
Carl Gustav Mosander, in turn, succeeded in producing the element by reducing the chloride with sodium. In 1839, Mosander was able to prove that the ochroite earth discovered by Klaproth was not pure cerium oxide but a mixture of several earths. In the process, he also discovered lanthanum.
CHARACTERISTICS & EXTRACTION
In the table of the most reactive elements, the silvery-white shining metal ranks 2nd behind europium. If the yellow oxide layer of the metal is damaged, it ignites. If heated to 150°C, it burns with a violent glowing to form cerium dioxide. If it comes into contact with water, it reacts to form cerium hydroxide. Finely distributed, the metal can heat up and ignite just like that. Industry has uses for cerium in some areas. In aluminium alloys, cerium brings strength and ductility to a higher level. Glass and enamel are coloured with the help of cerium. Pyrophoric cerium alloys make sparks fly in lighters or gas lighters.