Cerium is a chemical element with symbol Ce and atomic number 58. It is a soft, silvery, ductile metal which easily oxidizes in air. Cerium was named after the dwarf planet Ceres (itself named after the Roman goddess of agriculture).
Three reasons Cerium stands out
- 1
Used in catalytic converters and glass.
- 2
Its oxide is the main ingredient in the polishing compound used to grind and finish optical lenses and gemstones.
- 3
It is the most abundant of all the rare-earth elements, despite being in the "rare" category.
A rare earth common enough for sparks
Cerium is the most abundant lanthanide. It switches readily between two oxidation states, allowing cerium oxide to store and release oxygen in catalytic converters. Mischmetal rich in cerium makes lighter flints; scraping it creates hot sparks rather than merely exposing a glowing ember.