What is Lutetium?
Lutetium is a metallic chemical element classified among the lanthanides on the periodic table of elements. This element is fairly rare and difficult to extract in a pure form, and as a result it does not have a wide number of commercial uses. Pure lutetium tends to be quite costly, due to the difficulties involved in the separation process; prices fluctuate, but it tends to be more expensive than comparable metals. The primary source for the world’s lutetium is the mineral monzanite, and impurities in other lanthanide metals like yttrium. When lutetium is isolated, the metal proves to be silvery white in color. It is the heaviest and hardest of the lanthanide metals. The element is identified with the symbol Lu on the periodic table of elements, and it has an atomic number of 71. The element is also extremely corrosion resistant, and it has a high melting point in comparison to other lanthanide metals. Credit for the discovery of this element goes to Georges Urbain of France, although
Silvery-white rare-earth metal which is relatively stable in air. It happens to be the most expensive rare-earth metal. Its found with almost all rare-earth metals, but is very difficult to separate from other elements. Least abundant of all natural elements. Used in metal alloys, and as a catalyst in various processes. There are two natural, stable isotopes, and seven radioisotopes, the most stable being Lu-174 with a half-life of 3.3 years. The separation of lutetium from ytterbium was described by Georges Urbain in 1907. It was discovered at approximately the same time by Carl Auer von Welsbach. The name comes from the Greek word lutetia which means Paris.
