# What's the most useless chemical element? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677 "2011-03-06T13:39:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/61 "2011-03-11T18:49:13Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Boron may have its uses, but it is surely the least interesting element. 😃 The Bruce Willis movie about it did pretty well, though. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/62 "2011-03-11T18:53:37Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > You have to admit that it’s above average in terms of uselessness. True, I suppose it would be a good at calibrating for uselessness. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/63 "2011-03-11T19:47:52Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > I vote for Unobtainium. It’s not so much that it’s useless. Just impossible to get ahold of. 🆒 You forgot that BSA motorcycle parts were almost exclusively made from Unobtanium, although the parts that weren’t were always lost ‘somewhere in shipping’ (the on-the-boat syndrome). ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_ch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a4c791/32.png) [@Dan\_ch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_ch)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/64 "2011-03-11T20:44:19Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > On topic, I’m not sure the world would be too distraught if ytterbium vanished overnight. IIRC, ytterbium is used as a dopant in optical fibres. It can amplify light propagating through the fibre and AFAIK there are even lasers built in Ytterbium-doped fibres. I think such fibres are available commercially nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/65 "2011-03-11T20:53:37Z")
All of the elements are equally useless. Perhaps the question is: What is the least useful element? The answer would be Nitpickium ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/66 "2011-03-11T21:19:55Z")
IIRC, Isaac Asimov described molybdenum as the worst element. Or at least one of his characters did. It was mostly the name he was objecting to, but does it have any actual use? ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/67 "2011-03-11T21:30:09Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > IIRC, Isaac Asimov described molybdenum as the worst element. Or at least one of his characters did. It was mostly the name he was objecting to, but does it have any actual use? Moly grease is a popular automotive lubricant. Indeed pure molybdenum disulfide has lube [applications](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molybdenum_disulfide) too. ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/68 "2011-03-12T01:58:29Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > IIRC, Isaac Asimov described molybdenum as the worst element. Or at least one of his characters did. It was mostly the name he was objecting to, but does it have any actual use? Alloyed with other elements and iron to make bicycle frames. Race car tubular frames, too iirc. I didn’t know about scandium and handguns, but it has been used (still is?) to make bike frames. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/69 "2011-03-12T02:16:00Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > IIRC, Isaac Asimov described molybdenum as the worst element. Or at least one of his characters did. It was mostly the name he was objecting to, but does it have any actual use? Mo-99 decays into Technetium-99m, which can be mixed for a variety of different medical diagnostic uses. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/70 "2011-03-12T02:25:37Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > IIRC, Isaac Asimov described molybdenum as the worst element. Or at least one of his characters did. It was mostly the name he was objecting to, but does it have any actual use? How about high-strength [steel](http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev28-4/text/moly.htm)? ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/71 "2011-03-12T02:52:55Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > It’s a shame your reading comprehension has fallen into the toilet. Along with the bucket of sake, guilty of posting whilst not fully aware. There needs to be a hanging head in shame smilley ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/72 "2011-03-12T05:00:36Z")
Hafnium’s used in plasma cutter electrodes. cite: [Facts, pictures, stories about the element Hafnium in the Periodic Table](http://theodoregray.com/periodictable/Elements/072/index.s7.html) My cite is a cool site, BTW, if you’re interested in seeing pictures of samples of as many elements as possible. ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/73 "2011-03-12T06:21:49Z")
Believe it or not, molybdenum is a cofactor for several important enzymes, such as xanthine oxidase. It is thus a required nutrient and it is possible, although very rare, for a patient on long-term parenteral nutrition to develop a deficiency if not supplemented. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/74 "2011-03-12T15:07:35Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > Mo-99 decays into Technetium-99m, which can be mixed for a variety of different medical diagnostic uses. And you use a cow to get the Tc! moo ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/75 "2011-03-12T16:00:32Z")
Not just 1 cow, 99 cows! ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/76 "2011-03-12T18:00:48Z")
> [@Dan\_ch](#): > > IIRC, ytterbium is used as a dopant in optical fibres. It can amplify light propagating through the fibre and AFAIK there are even lasers built in Ytterbium-doped fibres. I think such fibres are available commercially nowadays. Yep, it is the Y in YAG lasers: > **[Nd:YAG laser](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser)** > > Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet; Nd:Y3Al5O12) is a crystal that is used as a lasing medium for solid-state lasers. The dopant, neodymium in the +3 oxidation state, Nd(III), typically replaces a small fraction (1%) of the yttrium ions in the host crystal structure of the yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), since the two ions are of similar size. It is the neodymium ion which provides the lasing activity in the crystal, in the same fashion as the red chromium ion in ruby lasers. > Laser ... I’m told that the tube on my argon laser is made of beryllium. ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/77 "2011-03-12T18:02:27Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Yep, it is the Y in YAG lasers: > [Nd:YAG laser - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser) That’s yttrium actually. Similar physical and chemical properties though. ---
**Author:** ![Curtis\_Stotlar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Curtis\_Stotlar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curtis_Stotlar)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/78 "2011-09-05T21:49:34Z")
Thulium. Element experts Theodore Gray (American) and John Emsley (British) attended a conference that was aired and both agreed that Thulium isn’t used in any way by plants or animals, it serves no industrial purpose of any value at all and it’s a lanthanide nobody wants or needs. It takes up space on the chart of elements and that is its only value. Curtis Stotlar ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/79 "2011-09-05T22:40:17Z")
> [@Curtis\_Stotlar](#): > > Thulium. Element experts Theodore Gray (American) and John Emsley (British) attended a conference that was aired and both agreed that Thulium isn’t used in any way by plants or animals, it serves no industrial purpose of any value at all and it’s a lanthanide nobody wants or needs. It takes up space on the chart of elements and that is its only value. > > Curtis Stotlar Irradiate in a reactor and the decay product produces X-rays. Useful for doctors and dentist who have no access to electrical power in the field. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677/80 "2011-09-05T23:01:57Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > IIRC, Isaac Asimov described molybdenum as the worst element. Or at least one of his characters did. It was mostly the name he was objecting to, but does it have any actual use? One character in an Asimov story hated praseodymium, atomic number 59, because it is the only element with six syllables in its name. The character, a (fictionally) famous organic chemist, heartily disliked words with unnecessarily many syllables. Praseodymium, however, appears to be quite useful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useless-chemical-element/573677.md?page=5)