Lutecium (Noun)
Meaning
A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; usually occurs in association with yttrium.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Lutecium was discovered in 1907 by French chemist Georges Urbain, who isolated it from a sample of yttrium ore.
- The most common use of lutecium is in PET scanners, where its high density and high atomic number allow it to absorb gamma rays effectively.
- Lutecium is also used in some specialized glasses and ceramics due to its unique optical properties.
- Due to its rarity, lutecium is not typically used in commercial applications, and most research involving the element is focused on its scientific properties.
- Lutecium is difficult to extract from ores and is often found in small quantities as a byproduct of other mining operations.