Element 59

Praseodymium (Pr)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Praseodymium (Pr) is element 59 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 140.91 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
59
Symbol
Pr
Atomic mass
140.91 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 4f3 5s2 5p6 6s2
Shorthand configuration
[Xe] 4f3 6s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 18, 21, 8, 2
Oxidation states
+2, +3, +4, +5

Physical properties

Melting point
1208 K
Boiling point
3793 K
Density
6.773 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.13
Atomic radius
247 pm
Covalent radius
203 pm
First ionization energy
527 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Pr-141140.90766100%Stable

Common uses

  • Magnets
  • Lasers
  • Arc lighting
  • Colorant for glass

Discovery

Year
1885
Discovered by
Carl Auer von Welsbach
Country
Austria

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