Terbium is a chemical element that has an atomic number (Z) 65. It has an atomic mass of 158.925 g/mol and it is represented by the symbol Tb. It is a rare earth metal and the ninth member of the lanthanide series. It's an f- block element in period 6 of the periodic table. There are 65 electrons, 65 protons and has 94 neutrons. The electronic configuration of Terbium is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10, 4s2, 4p6, 4d10, 5s2, 5p6, 4f9, 5d0, 6s2. The oxidation states of Terbium are 0, +1, +2, +3, +4 and its electronegativity is 1.2 (Pauling scale). Terbium is a monoisotopic element it has only one isotope terbium-159. Thirty-six radioisotopes have been identified.

At STP terbium is solid and has a density of   8.23 g/cm3. The melting point of terbium is 1629 K ?(1356 °C, ?2473 °F) and its boiling point is 3396 K ?(3123 °C, ?5653 °F).

Pure terbium has a silvery-white colour. It is malleable, ductile and soft enough to cut with a knife. In 1843 a Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander discovered and first isolated the element. The isolation was in oxide form not in 100% elemental pure form. Terbium exists in two crystal allotropes.

Terbium can be found with other rare earth elements in minerals such as xenotime, euxenite, bastnäsite,  cerite, gadolinite, and monazite. Terbium has an average of 1.2mg/kg in Earth's crust.

Terbium is used in the detection of endospores.

Terbium oxide is used in green phosphors in fluorescent lamps and colour TV tubes.

 Sodium terbium borate is used in solid-state devices.

Terbium is used in alloys and electronic devices.

Terbium dopant is used as a crystal stabilizer of fuel cells.

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What is terbium used for?

 

Some of the following are the applications of Terbium are terbium compounds.

Terbium oxide is used in green phosphors fluorescent lamps and colour TV tubes.

It is used in the detections of endospores.

Terbium alloys are used in electronic devices.  Terfenol-D, is used in sonar systems, sensors and soundBug systems.

It is used in solid-state devices and crystal stabilizer of fuel cells.

 

Who discovered terbium?

 

Terbium was discovered and isolated by Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander in 1843.

 

Where is terbium found?

 

Terbium is a rare earth element and can be found in combinations with other rare earth metals. It can be found in minerals such xenotime, euxenite, bastnäsite,  cerite, gadolinite, and monazite. Earth's crust has an average of 1.2mg/kg abundance of Terbium.

 

When was terbium discovered?

 

Terbium was discovered in 1843 by Swedish chemist  Carl Gustaf Mosander.

 

What does terbium look like?

 

Pure terbium has a silvery-white appearance.

 

What is the ground-state electron configuration of terbium (Tb)?

 

The electronic configuration of Terbium is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10, 4s2, 4p6, 4d10, 5s2, 5p6, 4f9, 5d0, 6s2.