Element 58
Cerium
Lanthanides
Cerium (Ce) is in the f-block of the periodic table — group 3, period 6.
Cerium is a chemical element with symbol Ce and atomic number 58.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 58
- Atomic mass
- 140.116 u
- Group / Period
- 3 / 6
- Block
- f-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 6.77 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 794.9 °C
- Boiling point
- 3442.8 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2
Periodic table block
Cerium is in the f-block (group 3, period 6). Elements land in the f-block when their highest-energy electrons fill an f subshell — these are the lanthanides and actinides shown beneath the main table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Self-cleaning ovens
- •Catalytic converters
- •Lighter flints
Discovery
Year: 1803
Discovered by: Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Cerium?
Cerium has atomic number 58. Its symbol is Ce and its atomic mass is 140.116 u.
What category of element is Cerium?
Cerium is classified as lanthanides. It sits in group 3, period 6 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Cerium in?
Cerium is in the f-block (group 3, period 6). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the f subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2.
What is Cerium used for?
Common uses of Cerium include: Self-cleaning ovens, Catalytic converters, Lighter flints.
When was Cerium discovered?
Cerium was discovered in 1803 by Martin Heinrich Klaproth.
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