Thulium (new) - Periodic Table of Videos

TL;DR

Thulium, a rare earth element, shows unique chemical properties and fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

Transcript

foreign is the second rarest Rare Earth least abundant the only one that is even less common is Promethean which is radioactive and we can't use it here I'd never seen thulium but our friend Anthony Lipman produced a really nice lump for us I have to say that is a really nice sample and it has given the best Bunsen test that any of us have seen bef... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Thulium, a rare earth element, exhibits unique chemical properties and reactions.
• 🙂 Thulium fluoresces under ultraviolet light, making it easily detectable.
• 💁 Thulium reacts with various solutions, forming distinct precipitates.
• 🙂 Burning finely divided Thulium particles results in intense light emission.
• 👔 Thulium's origin name has ties to Scandinavia, possibly Iceland.
• 🍟 Thulium is symbolized by TM instead of TU, possibly to avoid confusion with the French word for "you."
• ❓ Thulium chemistry showcases intriguing reactions and properties worth exploring further.

Questions & Answers

Q: How was Thulium discovered and why was it not isolated immediately?

Thulium was discovered in 1879 by a Swedish chemist, but isolation was delayed due to the tedious process of purification involving numerous recrystallizations.

Q: What unique property does Thulium exhibit when exposed to ultraviolet light?

Thulium salts fluoresce under UV light, absorbing energy and emitting visible light, making them easily detectable.

Q: What chemical reactions were observed with Thulium in various solutions?

Thulium formed precipitates of carbonate, sulfide, and chromate when reacted with potassium carbonate, sodium sulfide, and potassium dichromate, respectively.

Q: Why is Thulium considered more interesting than initially anticipated?

Thulium surprises researchers with its luminescent properties, intense light emission when burned finely, and its connection to Scandinavian origins.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Thulium, the second rarest rare earth element, was showcased in its pure form by Anthony Lipman.

• Discovered in 1879, Thulium is reactive in weak acids, energized under UV light, and exhibits distinctive chemical reactions.

• Thulium carbonate, sulfide, and chromate precipitates were observed, with finely divided particles displaying intense luminescence in a Bunsen flame.