58 Ce 140.116

Cerium

lanthanide

Properties

Atomic number
58
Atomic mass
140.116 u
Category
lanthanide
Group
f-block
Period
6
Block
f-block
State (room temp)
Solid
Outer-shell electrons
2
Electronegativity
1.12 (Pauling)
Density
6.77 g/cm³
Melting point
794.85 °C
Boiling point
3442.85 °C

Electron configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 5d¹ 4f¹

Noble-gas shorthand: [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²

Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 19, 9, 2, which is 2 in the outermost shell.

Related: electron configuration, the Bohr model, valence electrons.

Ce
Bohr model; outer-shell electrons in blue

About Cerium

Cerium is a chemical element with symbol Ce and atomic number 58. It is a soft, silvery, ductile metal which easily oxidizes in air. Cerium was named after the dwarf planet Ceres (itself named after the Roman goddess of agriculture).

Cerium: frequently asked questions

What is Cerium?
Cerium (Ce) is the chemical element with atomic number 58. It is a metal: specifically a lanthanide.
What is the atomic number of Cerium?
Cerium's atomic number is 58, which means every Cerium atom has 58 protons in its nucleus.
What is the electron configuration of Cerium?
The electron configuration of Cerium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 5d1 4f1 (noble-gas shorthand: [Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2). Its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 19, 9, 2, with 2 in the outermost shell.
Is Cerium a metal or a nonmetal?
Cerium is a metal: specifically a lanthanide.
What group and period is Cerium in?
Cerium sits in the f-block (the lanthanide row) of period 6 on the periodic table.
Is Cerium a solid, liquid, or gas?
At room temperature, Cerium is a solid.

Position in the periodic table

Open the interactive periodic table →

Data compiled from Wikipedia, PubChem, and IUPAC. Source.