Cerium
🔥 In Your World
Cerium is a reactive metal that is pyrophoric, meaning it produces sparks when struck. This property makes it the key component of "flint" in cigarette lighters and other fire starters. Cerium oxide is a highly effective polishing agent for glass, used for mirrors and precision optics. It also acts as a catalyst in self-cleaning ovens and in catalytic converters for cars.
📖 The Discovery Story
Cerium was discovered in 1803 by Swedish chemists Jöns Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger, and independently in Germany by Martin Heinrich Klaproth. It was named after the dwarf planet Ceres, which had been discovered just two years earlier. It was the first of the lanthanides to be discovered, though it was initially difficult to separate from the other rare earth elements it was found with.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 795 °C / 1463 °F |
| Boiling Point | 3443 °C / 6229 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f¹5d¹6s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.00665% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Cerium metal is highly reactive and pyrophoric. Scratching the metal can ignite the shavings, creating sparks. The metal dust is a fire and explosion hazard. While cerium has a low level of toxicity, its compounds should be handled with care.