Yttrium is a metallic element found in compounds with rare earth metals, used in alloys for products such as television screens and lamps. It was discovered in 1794 and is named after Ytterby, a Swedish city. Yttrium is used in metal refining and in the manufacture of synthetic gemstones. It is harmful in its pure form and has been linked to cancer.
Yttrium is a metallic chemical element often found in compounds with rare earth metals. Subsequently, it is often grouped with these metals even though this classification is technically incorrect. There are a number of uses for yttrium, mostly in the form of alloys that are used in a wide variety of products from television screens to lamps. Most people are never exposed to pure yttrium, as the element is reactive enough to almost always appear in compound form.
The element is named after Ytterby, a Swedish city. The pure form of the element is silvery and highly crystalline in structure, and combines easily with a number of other elements. It is identified by the atomic number 39 on the periodic table of elements, along with the symbol Y. In some cases, such as when it oxidizes, yttrium can take on a reddish to pinkish tinge, and it is formally classified as a transition metal in the periodic table. .
The element was first discovered in 1794 by Johann Gadolin, who was analyzing rare earth ores from the Ytterby quarry. This quarry actually contained a number of unusual minerals, containing compound forms of elements such as erbium and terbium, which are also named after Ytterby. Yttrium was first successfully isolated in 1828 by Friedrich Wohler, a German chemist who worked on several elements in addition to yttrium.
In metal refining, yttrium is used to remove impurities, as it is easily attracted to substances such as hydrogen which can cause metallic impurities. The element is also used in metal alloys and in the manufacture of some synthetic gemstones. In television production, yttrium is an important component of color tubes. Yttrium isotopes also appear to have potential promise as medical treatments, although the researchers believe more trials are needed.
In its pure form, yttrium is harmful. The element has been linked to cancer and may be associated with gases that cause respiratory problems. Face and airway protection should also be worn because the element can be reactive with air, especially when broken. Yttrium does not appear to play a biological role in the body, suggesting that it is unnecessary for human health, even in trace amounts.
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