ytterbium
/ɪˈtɜrbiəm/
noun
- A soft, silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Yb) used in some lasers, alloys, and as a radiation source.
- The periodic table lists ytterbium as element number 70.
- Scientists are studying ytterbium to improve the efficiency of fiber optic lasers.
- Ytterbium is often used in portable X-ray machines because it produces strong radiation.