A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

116

Erbium

Er

68

Thulium

Tm

69

Like terbium and ytterbium, erbium is also

named after the Swedish village of Ytterby,

near which it was discovered. This element

does not occur in its pure form in nature, but

it can be obtained from the mineral monazite.

Many erbium compounds are pink in colour

and are used to colour pottery and glass.

This glass contains

erbium, which protects

a welder’s eyes from

heat and bright light.

The rose pink finish

of this vase is from an

erbium chloride glaze.

68

69

68

69

99

100

State: Solid

Discovery: 1879

P

in

k

p

o

tt

er

y

Welding goggles

This silver y element

slowly tarnishes on

contact with air.

Thulium is the least abundant of all the

lanthanide metals. It is used to create lasers

that surgeons use to cut away damaged body

tissue. Thulium also has a radioactive form

that can produce X-rays: portable X-ray

machines make use of this form.

This machine emits

X-rays using a very

small amount of thulium.

This soft metal

glows blue under

ultraviolet (UV) light.

Labo

ratory^ sample^ of^ pure thuli

um

P

or

ta

b

el

X

r-

ya

m

ac

h

in

e

State: Solid

Discovery: 1843

of pu

re erbiu

m

Labo

ratory

sample

116-117_Erbium_Thulium_Ytterbium_Lutetium.indd 116 02/12/16 6:53 pm