lanthanides (rare earth)![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Very reactant elements found in the lanthanide series (monazite, xenotime); some are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust.
erbium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Metal that is used mainly in some alloys (especially with vanadium), lasers and infrared-absorbing glass, and as a colorant for glass and enamel.
ytterbium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Metal that is used in the manufacture of stainless steel, in lasers and as a source of X-rays in portable radiology equipment.
thulium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The rarest of the lanthanide group; it is used as a source of X-rays in portable radiology equipment and in the manufacture of ferrites (magnetic ceramics).
lutetium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Very rare metal that is difficult to separate; it has no real industrial applications but can be used as a catalyst (cracking, hydrogenation).
dysprosium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Very rare metal that is used especially in permanent magnets, lasers and nuclear reactors (absorbing neutrons).
holmium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Very rare metal with limited applications; it is used in lasers and for coloring glass.
terbium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Rare metal that is used especially in lasers and semiconductors.
samarium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Rare radioactive metal that is used especially in optical glass, lasers, nuclear reactors (absorbing neutrons) and permanent magnets.
promethium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Radioactive metal that is used mainly in specialized batteries and luminescent coatings for watches, and as a source of X-rays in medicine.
neodymium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
One of the most reactant of rare metals; it is used mainly to manufacture lasers, eyeglasses and permanent-magnet alloys.
praseodymium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Metal that is used especially in protective lenses, colorants for glass, flint alloys (misch metal) and permanent magnets.
cerium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The most common metal of the lanthanide group and the main constituent of flint alloys (misch metal).
gadolinium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Metal that is often alloyed with chromed steel; it is used especially in the manufacture of permanent magnets, magnetic heads and electronic components.
europium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The most reactant metal of the lanthanide group; it is used especially in television screens (the color orange) and nuclear reactors (absorbing neutrons).
lanthanum ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Metal that reacts with water to yield hydrogen; it is used especially in flint alloys and optical glass.