Consider the following statements: 1) Statement I: Some rare earth elements are used in the manufacture of flat television screens and computer monitors. 2) Statement II: Some rare earth elements have phosphorescent properties. [2025]

Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Some rare earth elements are used in the manufacture of flat television screens and computer monitors.

Statement II: Some rare earth elements have phosphorescent properties.

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Application of Rare Earth Element:
- Electronics: Due to their magnetic and phosphorescent properties, they are essential in smartphones, laptops, flat-panel displays, and headphones. (Rare earth elements like europium, terbium, and yttrium are used in display technologies for their optical properties)
- Clean Energy: Powering high-performance magnets in wind turbines, electric vehicles (EVs), and solar panels is crucial for the renewable transition.
- Defence Sector: Used in precision-guided missiles, radar systems, sonar, and jet engines—key to strategic and technological superiority.
- Medical Technology: Enable advanced imaging tools in radiation-based cancer treatments, such as MRI and PET scanners.
- Industrial Use: Applied in petroleum refining, high-grade glass polishing, and production of strong, corrosion-resistant metal alloys.

REE are a group of 17 chemical elements.
They comprise the 15 lanthanide elements, along with scandium and yttrium.
They are relatively abundant in Earth’s crust.
They are rare because they are found in low concentrations and mixed with other minerals, making them difficult and expensive to extract.
REEs are used to make magnets for electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, weapons, etc.
They are used in electric vehicle (EV) motors, medical devices, weaponry, etc.
REEs are divided into Heavy (HREEs) and Light (LREEs).
Misleading Name: REEs are abundant in the Earth’s crust but are rarely found in concentrated, economically viable forms, making extraction challenging.

The important phrase here is “Some rare earth elements.” Since the statement does not claim that all rare earth elements have these properties, it becomes easier to accept as correct. Some rare earth elements do possess phosphorescent properties, which is why they are used in flat TV screens and computer monitors. Hence, both statements are correct and Statement II explains Statement I → (a)