ERBIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Erbium is a chemical element that belongs to the lanthanide series of the periodic table. It is represented by the symbol "Er" and has an atomic number of 68. Erbium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is relatively stable in air, but it can slowly oxidize in water. It is obtained from minerals such as monazite and xenotime, which contain small amounts of erbium compounds.
Erbium is widely used in various applications due to its unique properties. One of its major applications is in the field of laser technology. Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are important components in telecommunications systems as they amplify light signals to enhance data transmission. These amplifiers are based on the ability of erbium to absorb and emit light in the near-infrared range.
Apart from its use in telecommunications, erbium also finds applications in optical materials, nuclear technology, and even in the production of certain alloys. Erbium compounds are used as phosphors in television screens, and its ions can provide unique fluorescent properties in glasses and ceramics.
In terms of its biological significance, erbium has no known biological role and is considered non-toxic. However, like other rare earth elements, exposure to erbium compounds in high concentrations could potentially have harmful effects on human health.
Overall, erbium is a metallic element with various applications in telecommunications, optics, and materials science, thanks to its unique optical and electronic properties.
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A rare metallic element, symbol E, or Er, atomic weight 167.4, found, usually as a silicate, with terbium and yttrium in gadolinite.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Erbium and terbium, names given by Mossander to two new metals, the oxides of which accompany yttria.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ERBIUM
Etymology of ERBIUM
The word "erbium" is derived from the name of the Swedish town "Ytterby". Ytterby is a small village located near Stockholm, Sweden. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, several rare earth minerals were discovered in mines near Ytterby. These minerals contained various rare earth elements, including erbium.
In 1843, Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander extracted and identified a new element from one of the Ytterby minerals. He named this element "erbium" in honor of the town where the minerals were found. Since then, the element has retained its name, and the word "erbium" has become universally used to refer to this element.
Similar spelling words for ERBIUM
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