Tungsten is used as the metal filament in incandescent lightbulbs. This is because tungsten has a very high melting temperature (3400oC or 6200oF), and as electricity passes through the metal filament in a light bulb, the filament can reach extremely high temperatures. Tungsten is also used in circular saw blades. The symbol for […]
Tantalum is used in hip replacement and other bone replacement parts. next element previous element
Hafnium is an excellent neutron absorber and is therefore used as control rods in nuclear submarines. The bombardment of uranium-235 with neutrons produces energy to power nuclear submarines: 235U + 1n –> 92Kr + 141Ba + 3 1n + LOTS of energy Notice that three neutrons (1n) are produced in this process. These three […]
Lutetium’s name comes from the Latin name for Paris. The flag of Paris is shown on this element. next element previous element
Ytterbium irradiated in nuclear reactors forms 169Yb, which emits gamma rays. These gamma rays are used as a portable, medical gamma-ray source. In this capacity, the gamma rays from 169Yb are used to image body parts in a manner similar to what is done with X-rays. next element […]
Thulium-169, when irradiated with neutrons in a nuclear reactor, forms 170Th: 169Th + 1n–> 170Th 170Th emits x-rays, and is thus used as a portable, medial X-ray source. next element previous element
Erbium oxide, E2O3, imparts a pink color to glass. Erbium oxide is often used in sunglasses. next element previous element
Holmium imparts a red color to cubic zirconia (ZrOCO3) when present in small amounts. next element previous element
Dysprosium is used in hard drives and other data storage disks. next element previous element
Terbium is used as a green phosphor in television sets. It is also used in sonar systems. next element previous element
