Ytterbium: A Rare Earth Element with Unique Properties
What is Ytterbium?
Ytterbium is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is found in minerals such as gadolinite, monazite, and xenotime. Ytterbium is a rare earth element and a member of the lanthanides on the periodic table.
Properties of Ytterbium
Ytterbium is a relatively soft metal with a Mohs hardness of 1.2. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Ytterbium is also paramagnetic, meaning that it is attracted to magnets.
Occurrence of Ytterbium
Ytterbium is a relatively rare element, with an abundance of only 3.2 parts per million in the Earth’s crust. It is found in a variety of minerals, including gadolinite, monazite, and xenotime. These minerals are typically found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Applications of Ytterbium
Ytterbium has a variety of applications, including:
- Electronics: Ytterbium is used in a variety of electronic devices, including lasers, phosphors, and semiconductors.
- Medicine: Ytterbium-169 is used in nuclear medicine to treat certain types of cancer.
- Industry: Ytterbium is used in a variety of industrial applications, including metal alloys, catalysts, and glassmaking.
History of Ytterbium
Ytterbium was first discovered in 1843 by the Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander. Mosander named the element after the Swedish town of Ytterby, where the mineral gadolinite was first found.
Ytterbium in the Periodic Table
Ytterbium is a member of the lanthanides, a group of 15 elements that are located in the middle of the periodic table. The lanthanides are all very similar in their chemical properties, but they differ in their atomic number and electron configuration.
Interesting Facts About Ytterbium
- Ytterbium is one of only three elements that are named after a town. The other two elements are terbium and erbium, which are also named after Ytterby.
- Ytterbium is the heaviest of the lanthanides.
- Ytterbium is a relatively new element. It was not until the 20th century that scientists were able to isolate it in pure form.
Conclusion
Ytterbium is a rare earth element with a variety of unique properties. It is used in a variety of applications, including electronics, medicine, and industry. Ytterbium is a fascinating element that is still being studied by scientists today.