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Ytterbium is the first rare-earth
to be discovered. Discovered in 1878, its name is easily confused with the name
of another rare-earth element, yttrium.
Ytterbium is a very soft, silvery-white metal. It is easily oxidized.
An oxide layer forms on freshly cut surface because the metal reacts with air.
This element is part of the lanthanide
series of transition elements. Most commercial-grade ytterbium is obtained from
monazite sand, which is a mixture of phosphates of calcium, cerium and
most of the other rare-earths. Ytterbium is separated from other impurities
by an ion exchange process.
