Yes. Cerium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.

How many protons does cerium have?

Cerium has 58 protons. Its atomic number is 58, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of cerium.

What group and period is cerium in?

Cerium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.

What is the atomic mass of cerium?

The atomic mass of cerium is 140.12 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 58

Cerium (Ce)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Cerium (Ce) is element 58 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 140.12 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 58
Symbol: Ce
Atomic mass: 140.12 u
Category: Lanthanides
Period: 6
Block: f-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f1 5s2 5p6 5d1 6s2
Shorthand configuration: [Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 19, 9, 2
Oxidation states: +2, +3, +4

Physical properties

Melting point: 1,068 K (794.85 °C)
Boiling point: 3,716 K (3,442.85 °C)
Density: 6.77 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.12
Atomic radius: 185 pm
Covalent radius: 204 pm
First ionization energy: 534 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Cerium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Ce-140	139.90544	88.45%	Stable

Common uses

Catalytic converters
Glass polishing
Self-cleaning ovens
Lighter flints

Discovery

Year: 1803
Discovered by: Jöns Jacob Berzelius, Wilhelm Hisinger
Country: Sweden

Frequently asked questions

Is cerium a metal?: Yes. Cerium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.
How many protons does cerium have?: Cerium has 58 protons. Its atomic number is 58, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of cerium.
What group and period is cerium in?: Cerium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.
What is the atomic mass of cerium?: The atomic mass of cerium is 140.12 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Cerium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.