🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Yttrium
• Discovered By: Johan Gadolin
• Year of Discovery: 1794
• Category: Transition Metal / Rare Earth Element
• Group: 3 (Group IIIB – Transition Metals)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (silvery-metallic) ⚙️

Yttrium is a silvery, soft metal often grouped with the rare earth elements, even though it’s technically a transition metal. It’s not found free in nature — instead, it’s extracted from minerals like xenotime and monazite.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Y
• Atomic Number: 39
• Atomic Mass: ~88.91 u
• Valency: 3
• Electronic Configuration: [Kr] 4d¹ 5s²

Yttrium typically forms compounds in the +3 oxidation state. It reacts slowly with water and oxygen, forming a protective oxide layer that prevents corrosion.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Although not radioactive, yttrium is often used in medical and tech applications that involve radiation, light, and magnets. It’s especially important in phosphors — materials that glow under light or radiation. ✨

It was named after Ytterby, a village in Sweden where many rare earth elements were discovered.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Yttrium is used in LEDs and color TVs — it helps produce red color in screens. 📺🔴
• Yttrium compounds are used to make superconductors, which conduct electricity without resistance. ⚡
• It plays a role in cancer treatment, especially in radiotherapy for liver cancer. 🏥
• Yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) is used in lasers and optical equipment. 🔬🔴
• It is often combined with iron to create strong magnetic materials.

🔧 Common Uses

• Electronics: Used in TV screens, LEDs, and computer displays. 💡🖥️
• Medical Field: Used in radiotherapy and in special medical devices. 💊
• Lasers: YAG lasers are used in surgeries, cutting tools, and precision instruments. 🔴🔧
• Superconductors: Yttrium-based ceramics are key in energy-efficient technologies.
• Alloys: Added to metals like aluminum and magnesium to improve strength and resistance to heat. ⚙️

📚 Conclusion

Yttrium may not be well known, but it’s a high-tech hero in the world of electronics, lasers, and medicine. From glowing TV screens to life-saving cancer treatments, yttrium shows how the periodic table is full of hidden treasures. For students, it’s a great example of how rare elements make a big impact in modern life. 🧠🔬