Ytterbium (Yb)
Ytterbium (Yb, element 70) is a lanthanide in period 6. Atomic mass 173.045, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s², uses and facts.
About Ytterbium
Ytterbium is a lanthanide with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a solid at room temperature, and it sits in period 6 of the periodic table. Ytterbium was discovered in 1878 by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac.
Ytterbium key facts
- Atomic number: 70
- Symbol: Yb
- Atomic mass: 173.045 u
- Category: lanthanide
- Group: none (f-block)
- Period: 6
- State at room temperature: solid
- Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s²
- Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.1
- Melting point: 1097 K (823.85 °C)
- Boiling point: 1469 K (1195.85 °C)
- Density: 6.9 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states: +2, +3
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of ytterbium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s². The part in brackets is the noble gas core; the rest shows how the outer electrons fill their subshells.
Uses of ytterbium
- Atomic clocks
- Lasers
- Steel alloys
Did you know?
Ytterbium atomic clocks are the most precise timekeepers ever built, losing less than 1 second in 10 billion years.
Neighbouring elements
- Thulium (Tm)
- Lutetium (Lu)
- Lanthanum (La)
- Cerium (Ce)
- Praseodymium (Pr)
- Neodymium (Nd)
- Promethium (Pm)
- Samarium (Sm)
- Europium (Eu)
- Gadolinium (Gd)
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of ytterbium?
The atomic number of ytterbium is 70, which means every ytterbium atom has 70 protons.
What is the electron configuration of ytterbium?
The electron configuration of ytterbium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s².
What group and period is ytterbium in?
Ytterbium is a lanthanide in period 6.
What state is ytterbium at room temperature?
Ytterbium is a solid at room temperature.
What is ytterbium used for?
Ytterbium is used for atomic clocks, lasers, steel alloys.