The Element Praseodymium


Praseodymium is available in small quantities in the earth’s crust and belongs to the category of rare earth minerals. This element can be found as mixture with other elements in monazite and bastnasite and can be extracted using the process called ion exchange or by counter-current solvent extraction.

Praseodymium is used as an alloying agent with magnesium to create high-strength metals for aircraft engines. It is also used for studio lighting and projector lights in the movie industry. Praseodymium is also used for making glass and enamels yellow color and this is widely used for industrial production of glass and enamels.

Atomic Number & Chemical Properties


Element Basics:

Chemical Symbol: Pr
Atomic Number: 59
Atomic Weight: 140.90765
Element Classification: Rare Earth Element (Lanthanide Series)
Discovered By: C.F. Aver von Welsbach
Date of Discovery: 1885 (Austria)
Origin of Name: Greek: prasios and didymos (green twin); from its green salts.

How to Recognize it at a Party:

Silvery white, moderately soft, malleable, and ductile metal

Seriously Atomic Information:

Density (g/cc): 6.773
Melting Point (°K): 1204
Boiling Point (°K): 3785
Atomic Radius (pm): 182
Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 20.8
Covalent Radius (pm): 165
Ionic Radius: 90 (+4e) 101.3 (+3e)
Pauling Negativity Number: 1.13
First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 526.6
Oxidation States: 4, 3
Electronic Configuration: [Xe] 4f3 6s2

Getting Intimate with Praseodymium:

Lattice Structure: Hexagonal (HEX)
Lattice Constant (Å): 3.670
Lattice C/A Ratio: 1.614
Specific Heat (@20°C J/g mol): 0.192
Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): 11.3
Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 331
Thermal Conductivity (@25°C W/m K):
Debye Temperature (°K): n/a


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