The Less Famous Elements That Shape Our World

🔑Praseodymium, a lanthanide, forms strong heat-resistant bonds and is used in aircraft engines and heat-resistant glass.

🔑Neodymium, also a lanthanide, is used to create powerful magnets and is commonly found in hard drives and MRI machines.

🔑Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals, containing yttrium, are used in lasers for medical procedures and cutting components on hard drives.

🔑Americium, a radioactive element, is used in smoke detectors to sense particles emitted during radioactive decay.

🔑Californium, also radioactive, is used in nuclear moisture gauges to measure water content in rocks for oil extraction.

How do neodymium magnets work?

—Neodymium magnets work by having atoms with lots of unpaired electrons, which create individual magnets. When these magnets align, they create a larger, more powerful magnet.

What is the main use of YAG crystals?

—YAG crystals are commonly used in lasers for medical procedures, such as laser eye surgeries, and in cutting components on hard drives.

Why is americium used in smoke detectors?

—Americium is used in smoke detectors because it emits alpha particles during radioactive decay. When there is smoke in the air, the particles are blocked and trigger the alarm.

How is californium used in oil extraction?

—Californium is used in nuclear moisture gauges to measure water content in rocks before oil extraction. It helps determine the amount of water present in the oil-rich rocks.

What is the significance of osmium's density?

—Osmium is the densest element on the periodic table. It has been used in record player needles and fountain pens due to its durability and resistance to wear.

00:10There are 118 elements on the periodic table, but some get more attention than others.

00:38Praseodymium, a lanthanide, is used in heat-resistant glass and strong bonds for applications like aircraft engines.

01:32Neodymium, also a lanthanide, forms strong magnets used in hard drives and MRI machines.

02:18YAG crystals, containing yttrium, have various uses such as medical lasers and cutting components on hard drives.

03:43Americium is a radioactive element used in smoke detectors to sense particles emitted during decay.

04:46Californium is used in nuclear moisture gauges to measure water content in rocks for oil extraction.

05:41Osmium, the densest element, has been used in record player needles and fountain pens.

06:45Antimony, historically used in cosmetics, is now used as a flame retardant in plastics.

07:30Gadolinium is used in MRI scans to enhance images and provide more detailed diagnostics.