Yttrium (Y)
Introduction
http://www.daviddarling.info/images/yttrium.jpg
Yttrium is a cool solid element in the Periodic Table. The atomic number is 39, and the atomic mass is 88.906. It has a silvery white color. It is in the Transition Metals group.
Physical Properties
A solid, silvery-gray metal. Has a melting point of 1526 degrees Celsius
(2779 degrees F). Has a boiling point 3336 degrees Celsius (6037 degrees Fahrenheit).
(2779 degrees F). Has a boiling point 3336 degrees Celsius (6037 degrees Fahrenheit).
Uses
- Advanced laser technologies
- Camera LEDs
- Surgeries (used in needle form to kill pain-trasmitting nerves)
- Combined with aluminum to make simulated diamonds.
- Microwave filters
- Glass
- Red color in TVs
- Used to also harden glass, and make it bullet proof.
- Ceramics
- Increases strength of other elements (chromium, aluminum, and magnesium)
More info
- Discovered in 1794
- Discoverer was Johan Gadolin
- Was discovered when a soldier brought a strange rock in Ytterby, and Gadolin found some new elements along with Yttrium (Ytterbium, Erbium and Terbium)
Interesting Facts
- Rocks from the moon contain high amounts of yttrium.
- Yttrium may one day help cure cancer
- Most isotopes of yttrium have a half life of under a single day. (range of 3.54 hours to 106.6 days)
- Has a very little amount in your body. (0.5 milligrams)
History
http://www.webelements.com/_media/elements/element_pictures/Y.jpg
First found by Johan Gadolin in 1794. This began as an uninteresting element, and scientists everywhere didn't know much about it, only hearing vaguely about it next to zirconium. Later on however, they found out that yttrium is a superconductor. A superconductor is something that will still conduct electric currents, even at super cold temperatures. Copper is another example, and there are only three superconductors in the world so far, including yttrium. After that, yttrium was studied a whole lot more.
http://www.chemicalelements.com/bohr/b0039.gif
Here's a video about yttrium.
Bulletproof glass test
Bibliography
Bentor, Yinnon. "Chemical Elements - Yttrium (Y)." Chemical Elements.com - Yttrium (Y). Yinnon Bentor, 2012. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Hsu., David D. "Yttrium Element Facts." Chemicool. Doug Stewart, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Winter, Mark. "Yttrium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. Mark Winter, 24 Sept. 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://www.webelements.com/yttrium/>.
"Yttrium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. N.p., 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
"Yttrium." World Book. 2008. Print.
"Yttrium Facts." About.com Chemistry. N.p., 25 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/yttrium.htm>.
Hsu., David D. "Yttrium Element Facts." Chemicool. Doug Stewart, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
Winter, Mark. "Yttrium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. Mark Winter, 24 Sept. 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://www.webelements.com/yttrium/>.
"Yttrium." WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements. N.p., 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
"Yttrium." World Book. 2008. Print.
"Yttrium Facts." About.com Chemistry. N.p., 25 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/yttrium.htm>.