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Glite Dictionary
ytterbium

ytterbium

1 9.9
A soft silver metal used in scientific research and some metal mixes
  • noun
  • /ˈɪtərˌbɪəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ytterbio
  • In the laboratory, ytterbium is valued for its role in various experiments involving metal alloys.
  • ytterbium-based

Examples

  • Ytterbium also hinted at some of the disparity between armor and shield tanking and the possibility of a balance pass.

    Blog text (11)

  • Ytterbium is often used in scientific research due to its unique properties as a soft, silvery metal.

  • The researchers synthesized a new alloy that incorporates ytterbium for its enhanced strength and heat resistance.

Synonyms

atomic number 70
vsytterbium
  • Specialized
8.1

A soft silvery metal called ytterbium that has atomic number 70

is described by its uses in research and in specialized alloys
Yb
vsytterbium
  • Specialized
9.9

The chemical symbol for a soft silvery metal element used in some lasers and electronics

emphasizes the metal's physical traits and practical uses not the short label

Surface Forms

ytterbium singular
ytterbiums plural

Morphology

ytterbium = Ytterby (opaque) = ytterby + ium

Formed from the place name 'Ytterby' plus the chemical suffix '-ium'; knowing the place name does not allow a learner to infer that the word denotes a metal.

Etymology

Ytterbium is named after the village Ytterby in Sweden, where miners found the mineral that led to this element. The ending -ium means 'metal', so the name is like saying 'a metal from Ytterby', which helps you remember that ytterbium is a soft, silvery metal used in scientific work.