Which element is named after the Swedish chemist who discovered it, and has the symbol 'Tb'? A) Tellurium B) Thulium C) Terbium D) Titanium
VerifiedAnswer: C) Terbium
Explanation:
The correct answer is Terbium (Tb), which is named after the Swedish village of Ytterby. This element has a fascinating discovery story that connects it directly to Swedish chemistry and the periodic table's development.
Terbium was discovered by Carl Gustaf Mosander, a Swedish chemist, in 1843. Mosander was studying a mineral called yttria, which was originally found in a quarry near the village of Ytterby, Sweden. This small village has an incredible claim to fame - it has given its name to four different chemical elements: yttrium, ytterbium, erbium, and terbium!
Let's understand why the other options are incorrect:
• Tellurium (Te) - This element was discovered by Franz-Joseph Müller von Reichenstein, an Austrian mineralogist, in 1782. Its name comes from the Latin word "tellus," meaning earth.
• Thulium (Tm) - While this element was indeed discovered by a Swedish chemist (Per Teodor Cleve in 1879), its symbol is Tm, not Tb. Thulium is named after "Thule," the ancient name for Scandinavia.
• Titanium (Ti) - This element was discovered by William Gregor, an English clergyman and mineralogist, in 1791. It's named after the Titans from Greek mythology.
Terbium belongs to the lanthanide series (rare earth elements) and has the atomic number 65. It's a silvery-white metal that's quite rare and expensive. In its pure form, terbium is soft enough to be cut with a knife. Modern applications of terbium include use in fluorescent lamps, where it produces a bright green light, and in some specialized electronic devices.
The discovery of terbium was part of the systematic investigation of rare earth elements during the 19th century. Mosander's work was crucial in separating and identifying several lanthanide elements, which was extremely challenging given their similar chemical properties. His methodical approach and chemical expertise led to the identification of not just terbium, but also erbium and ytterbium from the same mineral samples.
