ytterbium

yt·ter·bi·um  (-tûrb-m)

n. Symbol Yb

A soft, bright, silvery rare-earth element occurring in two allotropic forms and used as an x-ray source for portable irradiation devices, in some laser materials, and in some special alloys. Atomic number 70; atomic weight 173.04; melting point 824°C; boiling point 1,196°C; specific gravity 6.972 or 6.54 (25°C) depending on allotropic form; valence 2, 3. See Table at element.

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[After Ytterby, a town in Sweden.]

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yt·terbic (-bk) adj.

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ytterbium [it-terb-ee-um]

Noun

Chem a soft silvery element that is used to improve the mechanical properties of steel Symbol: Yb[after Ytterby, Swedish quarry where discovered]

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ytterbium  (-tûrb-m)

Symbol Yb

A soft, silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series that occurs as seven stable isotopes. It is used as a radiation source for portable x-ray machines. Atomic number 70; atomic weight 173.04; melting point 824°C; boiling point 1,196°C; specific gravity 6.972 or 6.54 (25°C) depending on allotropic form; valence 2, 3. See Periodic Table.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ytterbium - a soft silvery metallic element; a rare earth of the lanthanide series; it occurs in gadolinite and monazite and xenotime atomic number 70, Yb metal, metallic element - any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc. gadolinite, ytterbite - a mineral that is a source of rare earths; consists of silicates of iron and beryllium and cerium and yttrium and erbium monazite - a reddish-brown mineral containing rare earth metals; an important source of thorium and cerium xenotime - a brown-to-yellow mineral that is a phosphate of yttrium in crystalline form