ytterbium

Definition

Ytterbium is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is a member of the lanthanide series.

Ytterbium is not found in nature in its pure form. It is usually found combined with other elements, such as yttrium and erbium.

Ytterbium is used in a variety of applications, including lasers, magnets, and phosphors. It is also used in the production of some medical isotopes.

How can the word be used?

Ytterbium oxide is a white, crystalline solid that is used in lasers and other optical devices.

Different forms of the word

The word "ytterbium" can also be used as an adjective to describe something that contains ytterbium. For example, "ytterbium alloy" or "ytterbium magnet".

Etymology

The word "ytterbium" is derived from the name of the Swedish town of Ytterby, where it was first discovered.

The word "ytterbium" is a modern Latin word, coined by the Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander in 1879. Mosander named the element after Ytterby, a town in Sweden where the mineral gadolinite was found, which contained the new element.

Question

What can ytterbium be used for?