Yttrium (Y)
"The 'Tech Turbocharger,' Yttrium supercharges our screens with vibrant colors and brings powerful lasers to life, always ready to boost the next big invention."
A memorable persona to anchor Y in your mind.
4.472
Grams per cm³
1522
Celsius (°C)
219
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The secret ingredient making the red colors pop on your TV and phone screens.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1794
Discovered By
Johan Gadolin
Origin of Name
"Yttrium is named after Ytterby, Sweden."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
88.906 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
3345°C
Electron Configuration
[Kr] 4d15s2
1st Ionization Energy
6.217 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A sleek, silvery-white metal that shines with a metallic luster."
Did You Know?
Yttrium is named after Ytterby, a tiny village in Sweden! This mineral-rich spot has given its name to not one, not two, but FOUR elements: Yttrium, Terbium, Erbium, and Ytterbium!
It was the 'red' in your old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) television! Yttrium phosphors created the vibrant red color that made TV shows and video games come alive.
Get ready for some superconductivity! Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) is a famous high-temperature superconductor, meaning it can conduct electricity with ZERO resistance at much warmer temps than many other superconductors (though still super cold!).
Ever heard of a YAG laser? That stands for Yttrium Aluminum Garnet! These powerful lasers are used for super precise tasks, from delicate eye surgery to industrial cutting and even tattoo removal!