Element Family
Alkali
Lanthanide
Space Group Name
Im_ 3m
P63/mmc
Interesting Facts
- In the list of most abundant element Potassium is ranked 7th.
- Potassium can easily be sliced (chopped) down using knife.
- Cerium is a rare earth metal but still it is not rare at all.
- It’s non-toxic compound Cerium sulfide has a rich red color and it is used as a pigment.
- Cerium metal is also used in Flat screen TVs, light bulb, floodlights, etc.
Sources
Found in Minerals, Mining
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Who Discovered
Humphry Davy
Martin Heinrich Klaproth, Jöns Jakob Berzelius, Wilhelm Hisinger
Discovery
In 1807
In 1803
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- Potassium’s compounds are in high demand for their application in Fertilizer manufacturing.
- Potassium carbonate is used in glass manufacturing and Potassium carbonate in manufacturing detergent and body wash.
- It is used to include flints for cigarette lighters.
- Its compound Cerium (Ill) Oxide is used as a catalyst; it is put inside the walls of the oven as it prevents from the buildup of cooking residues.
Industrial Uses
Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry
Chemical Industry
Medical Uses
Pharmaceutical Industry
Medical Research
Toxicity
Toxic
Moderately Toxic
Present in Human Body
Yes
Yes
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery Gray
Silvery White
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Chemical Stability, Flammability, Ionization, Solubility
Chemical Stability, Anti Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 4s1
[Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2
Crystal Structure
Body Centered Cubic (BCC)
Double Hexagonal Close Packed (DHCP)
Crystal Lattice
BCC-Crystal-Structure-.jpg#100
DHCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Cerium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
Ductile, Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Conductor