Learning with Memory Techniques: The Periodic Table of Elements (66-70)

This is an easy way to learn Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium and Ytterbium. Learning with memory techniques is much easier than rote repetition. Especially when the images are already layed out to you in a clear and intuitive way. We will cover five elements per post with special training images for all elements and numbers. Please check out our other episodes for more elements.

Elements Legend

Each element comes with a special training image. These contain the element number, a common application, a phonetically similar image for the name and the element symbol. The color of each training image indicates the element category.

The Major System for Numbers

To memorize all elements by number we will use the Visual Major System to encode numbers into images. Please make sure you understand its principles. Here is a quick reminder how this system works:

We encode digits into consonants
We pair the letters with phonetically similar consonants
Vowels are free to create words
Below on the graphic are the ten main letters

66. Dysprosium

In the Visual Major System 6 = G or K or hard C. With that we can create the word CACAO. The sixtysixth element Dysprosium sounds similar like disco which can be symbolized by a disco ball. This element is used for coating on CDs.

You don't have money for a disco ball so you take a cacao pod and cover each bean with stripped-off CD coating to make it reflect light.

67. Holmium

In the Visual Major System 6 = G or K or hard C and 7 = L. With that we can create the word KOALA. The sixtyseventh element Holmium sounds like a golf hole. The element can be used for high power magnets in MRTs.

A Koala plays Golf and stands in front of the final hole. He carefully tries to finish his ball as a malfunctioning MRT nearby pulls all metal including his Golf clubs.

68. Erbium

In the Visual Major System 6 = G or K or hard C and 8 = B or P. With that we can create the word CUBE. The sixtyeighth element Erbium sounds like herb. The element is used for pink filters in glasses.

You are trying to solve your Rubik's Cube but someone put herbs in it which is now flying out into your eyes. So you bring out your pink glasses and continue finishing the game.

Come up with your own story or ask your students to that.

69. Thulium

In the Visual Major System 6 = G or K or hard C and 9 = J or SH. With that we can create the word CASH. The sixtyninth element Thulium sounds like a tool. The element is used for portable X-Rays.

65. Ytterbium

In the Visual Major System 7 = L and 0 = R. With that we can create the word LURE. The seventieth element Ytterbium sounds a little bit like litter. The element is used for stress gauges which we visualize with an earthquake.

All training images are property of Thinkkniht UG. They can be used for educational purposes in Schools and Universities. You can get the set with 50 different Visual Major System images from 0-9 for free in English and German.

If you like our Major System training images you can get our premium high resolution 2-digit set with nearly 800 images from 00-99 with the English Edition or German Edition.