ytterbium
[ ih-tur-bee-uh m ]
/ ɪˈtɜr bi əm /
noun Chemistry.
a rare metallic element found in gadolinite and forming compounds resembling those of yttrium. Symbol: Yb; atomic weight: 173.04; atomic number: 70; specific gravity: 6.96.
Compare
rare-earth element.
OTHER WORDS FROM ytterbium
yt·ter·bic, yt·ter·bous, adjectiveWords nearby ytterbium
yt,
ytd,
yts,
ytterbia,
ytterbite,
ytterbium,
ytterbium oxide,
yttria,
yttriferous,
yttrium,
yttrium metal
Example sentences from the Web for ytterbium
Ytterbium, i-ter′bi-um, n. an element discovered by Marignac in gadolinite.
British Dictionary definitions for ytterbium
ytterbium
/ (ɪˈtɜːbɪəm) /
noun
a soft malleable silvery element of the lanthanide series of metals that occurs in monazite and is used to improve the mechanical properties of steel. Symbol: Yb; atomic no: 70; atomic wt: 173.04; valency: 2 or 3; relative density: 6.903 (alpha), 6.966 (beta); melting pt: 819°C; boiling pt: 1196°C
Word Origin for ytterbium
C19: New Latin; see
ytterbia
Medical definitions for ytterbium
ytterbium
[ ĭ-tûr′bē-əm ]
n. Symbol Yb
A soft bright allotropic rare-earth element, whose radioisotope is used in diagnostic imaging of the brain. Atomic number 70.
Scientific definitions for ytterbium
ytterbium
[ ĭ-tûr′bē-əm ]
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.