Praseodymium

Praseodymium!

﻿(pra-si-eh-DIM-i-em) Pr Atomic #-59 Atomic Mass-140.90765

What's it's name come from? Praseodymium comes from the Greek words prasios and didymos, which together mean "green twin.", because it's green. It was discovered by Carl F. Auer von Welsbach, a German chemist, in 1885. 

Protons: 59 Neutrons: 82 Electrons: 59

If I wanted to find some, where should I look? Praseodymium is never found in nature as the free element. It is found in the ores monazite sand.

Physical Facts... Melting point: 931°C

Boiling point: 3520°C

Density: 6.77 grams per cubic centimeter

What's it used for? Praseodymium is used to create high-strength metals that are used in aircraft engines. It also makes up about 5% of Misch metal, a material that is used to make flints for lighters. Praseodymium forms the core of carbon arc lights which are used in the motion picture industry for studio lighting and projector lights. It is also a component of didymium glass, which is used to make certain types of welder's and glass blower's goggles.

Interesting... Praseodymium and Neodymium were discovered together.

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