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Erbium

A chemical element, in the periodic table erbium has the symbol Er and atomic number 68. Erbium is a lanthanide.

Erbium has a melting point of 1497 °C (2727 °F) and a boiling point of 2868 °C (5194 °F).

Erbium's everyday uses are varied; commonly it is used as a photographic filter, as a colourant (pink) for glass and porcelain, and because of its resilience it is useful as an metallurgical additive. Erbium is also used in nuclear technology.

This element is named after the Swedish town of Ytterby.

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