silvery white, malleable, ductile, and soft enough to be cut with a knife. burns easily when ignited.

. It oxidizes rapidly when exposed to air.

In carbon lighting applications, such as studio lighting and cinema projection. the manufacture of expensive camera lenses and lighter flints.

Discovered

by Carl Mosander. The name is derived from the Greek 'lanthanein', meaning to lie hidden.

 Most abundant of the Lanthanides. It tarnishes easily, reacts with water and burns when heated.

Employed in alloys, special glass and ceramics. Best known use is in the flints for pocket lighters.

Discovered by Wilhelm von Hisinger, Jns Jacob Berzelius, Martin Klaproth. Asteroid Ceres, which in was named after the Roman Goddess of Agriculture.

 soft, silvery, malleable, and ductile. develop green oxide coating that "spalls" away when exposed to air.

used in alloys, as flints for pocket lighters and for the yellow visor glass used to protect welders.

discovered by Carl F. Auer von Welsbach. Greek 'prasios didymos' meaning green twin.

 bright silvery metallic lustre. its dust and salts are very irritating to the eyes.

contained in some alloys for magnets, glass and lighter flints.

discovered by Carl F. Auer von Welsbach. Greek 'neos didymos' meaning new twin.

 Great care is required while handling promethium as a consequence of its radioactivity. Promethium salts luminesce in the dark with a pale blue or greenish glow

used in batteries as it can capture light in photocells and convert it into an electric current. Used in watches, radios and guidedmissile instruments.

discovered by J. A. Marinsky, Lawrence Glendenin, Charles D. Coryell . Prometheus of Greek mythology who stole fire from the Gods.