Return to Periodic Chart

#65 Tb - Terbium

Discovered in: 1843

Discovered by: Carl Mosander of Sweden

Description: Named after the town of Ytterby, Sweden, terbium is a soft, silvery-gray metal that can be cut with a knife. It is a rare lanthanide, and somewhat reactive, slowly reacting with air, but quickly reacting with water and acids. Terbium is used in semi-conductors and lasers. It is also used to produce the green color in color television tubes.

Biological Rating: No known benefits to life processes in plants and animals.

Biological Benefits: Terbium has no known biological use.

Percentage Amount in the Human Body: Near 0 %

Obtained from: Terbium is chiefly obtained from monazite, where it occurs as an impurity. It also occurs in cerite, xenotime and gadolinite. Terbium is mined in the USA, China, Russia, Australia, and India.

Return to Periodic Chart