Praseodymium
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Praseodymium (Pr) is a silvery white coloured metal that has the atomic number 59 in the periodic table. It is a Lanthanide metal. It has the symbol Pr.
Praseodymium is a soft malleable metal that is a rare eath metal. Praseodymium was first discovered along with samarium and in a substance called didymium which was mistaken as a new element. Didymium was identified as a mixture of elements and in 1885 Carl Welsbach identified both Praseodymium and Neodymium as two elements. Praseodymium is used in the creation of permanent magnets and generators for hybrid cars and wind turbines. It is not found as a free element but in ores. It is a solid metal at room temperature with a melting point of 935°c and a boiling point of 3520°c.
FAQ's
C.F. Aver von Welsbach
1885
Uses
Used with neodymium to make lenses for glass maker's goggles since it filters out the yellow light present in glass blowing. Alloyed with magnesium creates a high-strength metal used in aircraft engines. Makes up 5% of Mich metal.
Sources
Obtained from same salts as neodymium.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Pr
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