Ytterbium

Ytterbium is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a lanthanide, a rare earth element, originally discovered by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in the mineral gadolinite in 1878. Marignac named the element after the village of Ytterby in Sweden, where large concentrations of rare earth elements were discovered.

Characteristics

Ytterbium is a soft, malleable and ductile chemical element that displays a bright silvery luster when pure. It is a rare earth element, and it is readily attacked and dissolved by mineral acids, slowly reacts with water, and oxidizes in air.

Isotopes

Ytterbium has seven stable isotopes, and 16 radioisotopes, the most stable of which is Yb-169 with a half-life of 32 days. Yb-169 is used in industrial radiography.

Applications

Ytterbium is used in a variety of applications. It is often used in the production of stainless steel and other alloys. It is also used in lasers, particularly solid-state lasers. Ytterbium isotopes are also used in medical and industrial radiography.

Health effects

While ytterbium is not known to have a biological role, it has been noted to stimulate metabolism. Compounds of ytterbium are rarely encountered by most people, but some can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.

See also

• List of chemical elements
• Periodic table
• Lanthanides
• Rare earth element

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