Chemical Elements History and Information Cerium

About the chemical element Cerium, its symbol, atomic number and weight, who discovered it and when.

The Atomic Elements and Their Uses

(Element) (Symbol) (Atomic number) (Atomic weight)

Cerium Ce 58 140.12

Simultaneous discovery by Martin Klaproth of Germany and the team of Jons Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger of Sweden, in 1803. Because cerium catches fire easily when heated, it is used to make lighter flints. When color television was first invented, sets couldn't be marketed because the glass on the front of the TV tubes quickly became deep purple from the radiation. Cerium is now added to this front glass to prevent the chemical reaction which turns the glass purple.