Ytterbium

ytterbium

xenotime

hingganite

keiviite

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Formula: Yb
Ytterbium is an element which is a lanthanide and rare earth metal; it does not exist naturally in the native state on Earth, but micrograins have been found in Moon rocks.
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 6.97
Colour: Silvery white
Melting point: 824oC, 1097 K
Boiling point: 1200oC, 1473 K
Solubility: Dissolves rapidly in mineral acids (ChC)
Abundance: In the earth’s crust: 3 parts per million by weight, 0.3 parts per million by moles; in the solar system: 1 part per billion by weight, 10 parts per trillion by moles (ChC).
When present in compounds, ytterbium exists in the trivalent state, Yb3+.

Ytterbium-bearing minerals include:

Oxides - the oxide anion is O2-
samarskite-(Yb)

Phosphates - the phosphate anion is (P5+O4)3-
xenotime-(Yb)

Nesosilicates - insular (Si4+O4)4- groups
hingganite-(Yb)

Sorosilicates - (Si4+2O7)6- groups
keiviite-(Yb)

Inosilicates - double chain - (Si4+4nO11n)6n-
caysichite-(Y)

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