Element Yb…By

Kousei Martin Perales

10-17-07

What the heck is element Yb…?

And why did I choose such an obscure element…?

Well…Chem is hard and I like to be consistent...

?

Element Yb is Ytterbium. (i-TUR-bi-em)

Basics facts of Ytterbium

• Ytterbium is a metal in the lanthanoid family.

• It has 70 protons, 103 neutrons, and 70 electrons. (in its most stable isotope)

• 819oC and 1198oC are, respectively, its melting and boiling point.

• It has very few practical uses compared to other elements…

The few uses of Ytterbium• Ytterbium is often used as a doping agent for

fiber optic cable. Doping is the process of introducing impurities into a pure substance. This fiber optic cable is used in lasers to produce infrared energy and for

<---“Doped” fiber optic cable.These cables will help develophigh powered green lasers.

The few uses of Ytterbium

• Ytterbium metal has uses in improving the grain refinement, strength, and other mechanical properties of stainless steel. Some Ytterbium alloys are used in dentists offices as well.

• One isotope is reported to have been used as a radiation source substitute for a portable X-ray machine where electricity is unavailable.

• Ytterbium helps convert infrared energy into electrical energy in solar cells.

Common Forms of Ytterbium

• One form of the forms of this elements that occur naturally is Monazite. All kinds of rare earth metals are extracted from this compound. Some include Thorium, Lanthanum, Cerium and of course, Ytterbium.

Other common forms of Ytterbium

• This is Xenotime and it is also an important source of rare earth metals. Disprosium, Erbium, Terbium, Ytterbium, Thorium, and even Uranium can be extracted from this compound.

You should buy Ytterbium!

• Well, to be honest, you shouldn’t. This element is known to cause irritation to eyes and skin. In addition, it may be teratogenic. This element is usually treated as highly toxic even though studies indicate it to be otherwise.

• Hey...better safe then sorry.

End.