Origin / Meaning of the name Cerium
The name originates from the asteroid Ceres.

Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Cerium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Cerium classified as an element in the Lanthanide series as one of the "Rare Earth Elements" which can located in Group 3 elements of the Periodic Table and in the 6th and 7th periods. The Rare Earth Elements are divided into the Lanthanide and Actinide series. The elements in the Lanthanide series closely resemble lanthanum, and one another, in their chemical and physical properties. Their compounds are used as catalysts in the production of petroleum and synthetic products. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

The Discovery of Cerium
Cerium was discovered by Jons Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm von Hisinger in Sweden in 1803.

Facts about the History of the Discovery of Cerium Element
Properties within each individual group are similar, but nevertheless vary within a group. Generally chemical activity decreases as the period increases a non-metal group and increases as the period increases within a metal group. The first element in a group is always an active metal, the last is always an inactive non-metal.

History of the Periodic Table
Check out the brief History of the Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of the Periodic Table.

Occurrence of the Cerium Element
Obtained from monazite and bastnaesite

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 1×10^-6%
% in Sun 4×10^-7%
% in Meteorites 0.000075%
% in Earth's Crust 0.006%
% in Oceans 1.2×10^-10%
% in Humans N/A

Associated Uses of Cerium
Making Aluminium alloys
Cigarette lighters
Incandescent gas mantles
Petroleum refining
Arc lighting