Cerium (Ce) - Element 58 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Cerium?
Cerium (Ce) is element 58, a lanthanide in period 6. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s².
| Atomic Number | 58 |
| Symbol | Ce |
| Atomic Mass | 140.12 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | N/A (f-block) |
| Block | f |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s² |
| Short Config | [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s² |
| Electronegativity | 1.12 |
| Atomic Radius | 185 pm |
| Ionization Energy | 534 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | N/A |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Cerium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹ 6s². In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s².
Cerium is a f-block element, period 6.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Cerium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.12.
Atomic Radius: 185 pm. Across period 6, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.
Ionization Energy: 534 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Cerium on the Interactive Periodic Table