Yttrium is a chemical element with symbol Y and atomic number 39. It is a silvery-metallic transitional metal chemically similar to the lanthanides and it has often been classified as a "rare earth element".
Yttrium is almost always found combined with the lanthanides in rare earth materials and is never found in nature as a free element. Its only stable isotope, 89Y, is also its only naturally occurring isotope.
Yttrium is almost always found combined with the lanthanides in rare earth materials and is never found in nature as a free element. Its only stable isotope, 89Y, is also its only naturally occurring isotope.
The most important use of yttrium is in making phosphors, such as the red ones used in television set cathode ray tube (CRT) displays and in LEDs. Other uses include the production of electrodes, electrolytes, electronic filters, lasers and superconductors; various medical applications; and as traces in various materials to enhance their properties. Yttrium has no known biological role, and exposure to yttrium compounds can cause lung disease in humans.
Wow, what a great Y post! Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting, it amazes me how you get all your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I learned a new word! And I'm glad I don't work with the stuff.
ReplyDeleteSo it's in our TV sets?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I don't have to read your blog aloud to anyone.
ReplyDeleteNow tell me why do those scientists have to be so tricky with their spelling?
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen .. how they find these elements and then work out what to do with them .. amazes me ... fascinating - cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete