Yttrium
General Information
- Symbol: Y
- Atomic Number: 39
- Atomic Weight: 88.90584 u
- Element Category: Transition metal
- Group: 3
- Period: 5
- Block: d-block
Physical Properties
- Appearance: Silvery-white metallic
- Density: 4.472 g/cm³
- Melting Point: 1526 °C (2779 °F)
- Boiling Point: 3336 °C (6037 °F)
- Phase at STP: Solid
- Electron Configuration: [Kr] 4d¹ 5s²
- Oxidation States: +3 (most common)
Chemical Properties
- Reactivity: Moderately reactive, particularly with oxygen and halogens.
- Compounds: Forms various compounds such as yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃), yttrium chloride (YCl₃), and yttrium nitrate (Y(NO₃)₃).
Uses and Applications
- Electronics: Used in phosphors for color television tubes and LEDs.
- Medical: Yttrium-90 is used in cancer treatment, particularly for radiotherapy.
- Materials Science: Used in the production of yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers.
- Metallurgy: Added to alloys to improve strength and workability.
- Ceramics: Yttrium oxide is used in ceramic materials and glass production.
Occurrence and Extraction
- Natural Occurrence: Found in rare earth minerals such as xenotime and monazite.
- Extraction: Typically extracted from monazite sand through solvent extraction and ion exchange processes.
Isotopes
- Stable Isotope: Yttrium-89
- Radioactive Isotopes: Yttrium-90 (used in medical applications), Yttrium-91
Safety and Handling
- Hazards: Generally low toxicity, but yttrium compounds should be handled with care as they can be irritants.
- Precautions: Avoid inhalation of dust and fumes; use proper protective equipment when handling yttrium compounds.
History
- Discovery: Discovered by Johan Gadolin in 1794.
- Name Origin: Named after the village of Ytterby in Sweden, where the mineral gadolinite was found.
Additional Facts
- Crystal Structure: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)
- Magnetic Properties: Paramagnetic
- Thermal Conductivity: Moderate, about 17 W/m·K
- Electrical Resistivity: About 596 nΩ·m at room temperature
Summary
Yttrium is a transition metal with versatile applications in electronics, medical treatments, materials science, metallurgy, and ceramics. It is moderately reactive and typically found in rare earth minerals. Its most significant applications include use in phosphors, cancer radiotherapy, YAG lasers, and various high-strength alloys. Despite its broad uses, yttrium and its compounds should be handled with care to avoid potential health hazards.
What is the atomic number of Yttrium?
- 39
What is the symbol for Yttrium?
- Y
What is the atomic weight of Yttrium?
- 88.90584 u
In which group of the periodic table is Yttrium found?
- Group 3
What period is Yttrium in?
- Period 5
What block does Yttrium belong to?
- d-block
What is the melting point of Yttrium?
- 1526 °C (2779 °F)
What is the boiling point of Yttrium?
- 3336 °C (6037 °F)
What is the density of Yttrium?
- 4.472 g/cm³
What is the electron configuration of Yttrium?
- [Kr] 4d¹ 5s²
What are the common oxidation states of Yttrium?
- +3
What is the appearance of Yttrium?
- Silvery-white metallic
Is Yttrium reactive with oxygen?
- Yes, moderately reactive
Name a compound of Yttrium.
- Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃)
What is a common use of Yttrium in electronics?
- Phosphors for color television tubes and LEDs
How is Yttrium used in the medical field?
- Yttrium-90 is used in cancer treatment, particularly for radiotherapy
What is Yttrium used for in materials science?
- Production of yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers
How is Yttrium used in metallurgy?
- Added to alloys to improve strength and workability
What ceramic material uses Yttrium oxide?
- Yttrium oxide is used in ceramic materials and glass production
Name a mineral that contains Yttrium.
- Xenotime
How is Yttrium extracted from minerals?
- Through solvent extraction and ion exchange processes
What is the most stable isotope of Yttrium?
- Yttrium-89
What is a radioactive isotope of Yttrium used in medicine?
- Yttrium-90
What safety hazard is associated with Yttrium compounds?
- Can be irritants, handle with care
Who discovered Yttrium?
- Johan Gadolin
Where does the name Yttrium come from?
- Named after the village of Ytterby in Sweden
What is the crystal structure of Yttrium?
- Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)
Is Yttrium paramagnetic or diamagnetic?
- Paramagnetic
What is the thermal conductivity of Yttrium?
- About 17 W/m·K
What is the electrical resistivity of Yttrium at room temperature?
- About 596 nΩ·m
What is Yttrium’s primary oxidation state?
- +3
Is Yttrium found as a free element in nature?
- No, it is found in minerals
What is a major application of Yttrium-90?
- Cancer radiotherapy
What type of laser uses Yttrium?
- YAG laser
How does Yttrium improve alloys?
- Improves strength and workability
What is the boiling point of Yttrium in Kelvin?
- 3609 K
What group does Yttrium belong to in the periodic table?
- Transition metals
What is the natural abundance of Yttrium-89?
- 100%
Can Yttrium be used in high-temperature superconductors?
- Yes, it is used in some high-temperature superconductors
What is the key property that makes Yttrium valuable in electronics?
- Its ability to act as a phosphor and improve the quality of LEDs and CRT displays.
