top of page

Yttrium Much?

 About Yttrium

 

  • Yttrium's Symbol is "Y", its atomic number is 39, and its atomic mass is 89

  • Yttrium has a density of 4.47 grams/centimeter^3

  • Yttium's melting point is 1522°C

  • Yttrium is a solid at room temperature

  • Yttrium received its name from the town of Ytterby, Sweden, where it was found

  • Yttrium is a soft metal that has a shiny luster

  • Yttrium's boiling point is 3338°C

  • Yttrium has two valence electrons and is in group three, its only family member is Scandium, they are both located on the far left of the transition metals

  • Yttrium has a low flammability level when is larger pieces, but ignites more easily in smaller pieces due to oxidization of the surface

  • Yttrium is ductile and malleable though very resistant against heat

  • Yttrium tarnishes slowly and can be added into cutlery to combat tarnishing

  • Yttrium can be found in quantities on the moon

  • Yttrium has lead to the discovery of many elements including Erbium and Terbium

  • When brought to a certain temperature, Yttrium, like many other elements, will turn into a superconductor. A superconductor is a substance that has little to no electrical resistance. The Yttrium superconductor can hold train

 

Uses of Yttrium
 

Yttrium has many uses due to its resistance against heat. Yttrium is used in many aircraft and alloys. Yttrium can be made into cubic zirconia diamonds, an almost equivalent look to real diamonds, but much more economically friendly.

 

Another purpose for Yttrium is lasers, many dental companies use Yttrium lasers in dental surgery. Scientists shoot Yttrium lasers at objects and can map out the surface by measuring the distance and angle the laser bounces back. 

 

Highly pure Yttrium-90 can be separated from Strontium-90, resulting from radioactive waste, and used for cancer treatments.

 

 

© 2014 Wenxi Huang

bottom of page