Then and Now – The Periodic Table Element – Ytterbium

Then and Now - The Periodic Table Element - Ytterbium. Ytterbium, a rare earth metal belonging to the lanthanide series, has a fascinating history laden with valuable applications. Discovered in 1878 by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac, ytterbium's unique properties initially sparked interest and led to various early uses. However, as technology and scientific understanding progressed, its limited availability, cost, and more suitable alternatives led to a decline in its use for these purposes. Read more.