Lutetium is a dense lanthanide used in radiation detectors, catalysts, and specialised medical radioisotopes.
Atomic number
71
Category
Lanthanide
Period
6
Group
f-block
State
Solid
Fun facts about Lutetium
Its filled 4f electron shell makes its chemistry subtly different from earlier lanthanides.
Lutetium oxyorthosilicate crystals detect gamma rays in PET scanners.
It is difficult to separate from chemically similar ytterbium.
Common uses of Lutetium
PET scanner crystals
Petroleum catalysts
Targeted radionuclide therapy
Where Lutetium sits in the periodic table
Lutetium belongs to the lanthanide series in period 6 and the f-block of the periodic table. Under the conditions represented in this reference, its state is solid.
Quick chemistry revision
For quick revision, pair the symbol Lu with atomic number 71 and the listed atomic mass 174.97. The summary, facts, and uses above keep those element properties together in one reference.