Periodic Table of WIS

Yttrium Y

 

Where is yttrium used--or where does it impact our everyday lives?

 

Yttrium

Symbol: Y  atomic #: 39

Atomic mass: 88.91

Periodic Table: in group 3, period 5

Melting point:1526 oC (2779 oF)

Boiling point: 2930 oC (5306 oF)

Density:  4.472 g/mL

Main isotopes: 87Y 88Y 89Y 90Y 91Y

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d1 5s2

% abundance Earth’s crust: 33 ppm

% abundance Universe: 7x10-7 %

Amount in the adult body:    0.5 mg     

Extracted from yttrium ores  

 

Amount used per year, World: 7,000 tons of yttrium oxide

Cost (2015 US $): $75 per ounce

 

Uses of the element: The oxide, as well as yttrium vanadate is used with europium to make phosphors to create the red color in television tubes. Also effective as microwave filters.

Reactivity with air (oxygen): metal tarnishes slowly in air and burns readily to form yttrium (III) oxide, Y2O3

Reactivity with water: when heated metal dissolves in water give hydrogen gas

Reactivity with acids or alkalis: dissolves readily to dilute hydrochloric acid to form solutions the yttrium (III) ion, Y3+, together with hydrogen gas

 

LANL.gov  Researcher: Julia v d H

 

Yttrium is used for some lasers in yttrium garnet lasers.  Sophomore Sam G. is holding a shark-shaped laser-- a red laser--donated by Physics teacher Mr. G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gadolinite Be2FeY2Si2O10, Tuflau, Frikstad, Norway viewed during a Chemistry One field trip to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, USA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a second sample of gadolinite from Sactersdalen, Norway

WIS Photographer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aeschynite YCaFeTh(TiNb)2(O,OH)6 from Iveland, Setesdal, Norway 

viewed during a Chemistry One field trip to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, USA

WIS Photographer