Praseodymium (Pr)
Lanthanide
Praseodymium is a soft rare-earth metal named for the leek-green colour of its salts. It tints welder's goggles yellow (filtering harmful glare), colours glass and enamel, and strengthens the powerful magnets in motors.
Position on the periodic table
Atomic properties
| Atomic number | 59 |
|---|---|
| Atomic mass | 140.908 amu |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f3 |
| Noble gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f3 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 21, 8, 2 |
| Valence electrons (outer shell) | 2 |
| Common oxidation states | +3 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.13 |
| Covalent radius (approx.) | 203 pm |
| First ionization energy | 527 kJ/mol |
| Electron affinity | 93 kJ/mol |
Physical properties
| State at 25 °C | Solid |
|---|---|
| Density | 6.77 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 934.85 °C (1208 K) |
| Boiling point | 3129.8 °C (3403 K) |
| Appearance | grayish white |
| Radioactive | No |
| Origin | Occurs naturally |
Electron configuration of praseodymium
Praseodymium's ground-state electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f3, usually shortened to [Xe] 4f3 6s2. Its electrons occupy 6 shells (2, 8, 18, 21, 8, 2), placing it in period 6 of the f-block. Explore it interactively in the electron configuration calculator.
Uses of praseodymium
- Didymium glass for welder's and glassblower's goggles
- Yellow ceramic pigments
- High-strength magnesium alloys
- Component of NdFeB magnet alloys
Biological role: None known.
Occurrence: Extracted from monazite and bastnäsite.
Common compounds of praseodymium
Pr6O11
Praseodymium oxide
History and discovery
Discovered: 1885 — Carl Auer von Welsbach. Name origin: From Greek prasios didymos — “green twin”, separated from its “twin” neodymium.
Carl Auer von Welsbach split “didymium” into praseodymium and neodymium in 1885.
Safety notes
Low toxicity; standard rare-earth dust precautions apply.
Educational context only — always follow your school's laboratory rules and never handle chemicals without proper supervision. See our disclaimer.
Practice questions
Quick practice: Praseodymium
1. What is the chemical symbol of Praseodymium?
2. What is the atomic number of Praseodymium?
3. Which category does Praseodymium belong to?
4. What is the state of Praseodymium at room temperature?
5. Which period of the periodic table is Praseodymium in?
Praseodymium FAQs
What is the atomic number of praseodymium?
Praseodymium's atomic number is 59 — every praseodymium atom has 59 protons in its nucleus.
What is the symbol for praseodymium?
Pr. From Greek prasios didymos — “green twin”, separated from its “twin” neodymium.
Is praseodymium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
Praseodymium is classified as a lanthanide.
What state is praseodymium at room temperature?
At about 25 °C, praseodymium is a solid. It melts at 934.85 °C.
What is praseodymium used for?
Key uses include: didymium glass for welder's and glassblower's goggles; yellow ceramic pigments; high-strength magnesium alloys.
Related elements
Keep working with this element
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