cerium
/'siəriəm/
Definition
- Noun:
- A chemical element: Cerium is a metallic element with the symbol Ce and atomic number 58. It is part of the lanthanide series on the periodic table.
- Physical properties: It is a ductile, silvery-grey metal that tarnishes when exposed to air.
- Abundance and use: It is the most abundant element among the rare-earth metals and is used in applications such as lighter flints, catalysts, and glass polishing.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cerium is extracted from minerals like monazite and bastnäsite.
- The alloy contained a small percentage of cerium to improve its properties.
- Scientists are studying new compounds of cerium for catalytic converters.
Advanced Usage
- "Cerium oxide" (CeO₂): Also known as ceria, this is a common compound of cerium used as a polishing agent and in automotive catalytic converters.
- Cerium oxide is an excellent material for polishing glass lenses.
Variants and Related Words
- Ceric (adj): Relating to or containing cerium, especially in its tetravalent state (Ce⁴⁺).
- Ceric ammonium nitrate is a common oxidizing agent in organic chemistry.
- Cerous (adj): Relating to or containing cerium in its trivalent state (Ce³⁺).
- Cerous salts are typically pale yellow or colorless.
Synonyms
- Element 58: Referring to its atomic number.
- Rare-earth metal: Describing its classification within the lanthanide series. (Note: While cerium is a rare-earth element, this is a broader category.)
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Cerium mischmetal: An alloy of cerium and other rare-earth metals, historically used in lighter flints.
- The spark was created by striking a piece of cerium mischmetal.
Noun
-
a ductile grey metallic element of the lanthanide series; used in lighter flints; the most abundant of the rare-earth group
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