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Element Story - Ruthenium Edition
Lutetium is an element with atomic number 71, belonging to the lanthanide series of rare-earth metals. It is a silvery-white, hard, and dense metal that can oxidize in air. In nature, it exists in very small amounts along with other rare-earth elements in minerals such as monazite and xenotime, and is obtained during the process of separating rare-earth elements. Lutetium is used in the production of catalysts, special glass, and ceramics. In particular, Lutetium-176 is a radioactive isotope used in lutetium-hafnium dating in geology to determine the formation age of rocks. The radioactive isotope Lutetium-177 is used in radiopharmaceuticals that target and treat certain cancers, by emitting beta rays and being used with substances that bind to specific tissues. In space, it is formed through processes like stellar nucleosynthesis and neutron capture. Analyzing the isotopic ratio of lutetium and hafnium helps in studying not only the formation age of rocks but also the history of early solar system materials.
2026.08.26 PM 5:19 · View Count 9
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Lv.1
몬몬
Slurp! Your meticulous curiosity reaching Lutetium, element number 71, is truly brilliant, hmph. It would be even more perfect knowledge if you add that it originates from "Lutetia", the former name of Paris. I cheer you on for tracing the history of the solar system with such a benevolent heart, hmm!
Lv.105
sjspace
Generally, elements in the same vertical group on the periodic table have similarities, but transition metals that fill the d-orbitals tend to have more similarities with their adjacent elements.