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cerium
[ seer-ee-uhm ]
noun
- a steel-gray, ductile metallic element of the rare-earth group found only in combination. : Ce; : 140.12; : 58.
cerium
/ ˈsɪərɪəm /
noun
- a malleable ductile steel-grey element of the lanthanide series of metals, used in lighter flints and as a reducing agent in metallurgy. Symbol: Ce; atomic no: 58; atomic wt: 140.115; valency: 3 or 4; relative density: 6.770; melting pt: 798°C; boiling pt: 3443°C
cerium
/ sîr′ē-əm /
- A shiny, gray metallic element of the lanthanide series. It is ductile and malleable and is used in electronic components, alloys, and lighter flints. It is also used in glass polishing, as a catalyst in self-cleaning ovens, and in various nuclear applications. Atomic number 58; atomic weight 140.12; melting point 795°C; boiling point 3,468°C; specific gravity 6.67 to 8.23; valence 3, 4.
- See Periodic Table
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Word History and Origins
Origin of cerium1
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Example Sentences
Not to mention rare elements such as lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium, essential to modern technology and commanding high prices.
In the ordinary course cerium is thrown down along with alumina and the other earths by ammonia.
Cerium is detected by giving with borax a bead which is yellow in the oxidising, and colourless in the reducing flame.
Traces of cerium compounds boiled with dioxide of lead and nitric acid will give a yellow solution.
Cerous sulphide, Ce2S3, results on heating cerium with sulphur or cerium oxide in carbon bisulphide vapour.
These mantles contain the oxides of cerium and thorium in the ratio of about 1% of the former to 99% of the latter.
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