Element 70 · Lanthanide
Ytterbium (Yb) — Element 70
Ytterby, Sweden
Ytterbium (Yb) is a lanthanide in Period 6 (f-block) of the periodic table with atomic number 70, standard atomic weight 173.05 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 3 valence electrons and common oxidation states +3, +2.
Atomic clocks, stainless steel
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Ytterbium?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 70
- Standard atomic mass
- 173.05 u
- Chemical family
- Lanthanide
- Ground-state configuration
- [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2
- Valence electrons
- 3
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +3, +2
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.10 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 603 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 222 pm
- Melting point
- 824 °C
- Boiling point
- 1,196 °C
- Discovery year
- 1878
- Table coordinate
- Period 6, f-block
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Ytterbium’s shells?
A neutral Ytterbium atom contains 70 electrons distributed across 6 occupied principal energy shells ([Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s²). The table below compares Ytterbium’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Yb | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 8 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
| n = 3 | M | 18 e⁻ | 18 e⁻ |
| n = 4 | N | 32 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 8 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
| n = 6 | P | 2 e⁻ | 72 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Ytterbium (Yb)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Ytterbium (Yb)?
Ytterbium (Yb) has atomic number Z = 70 (70 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 173.05 u. It sits in Period 6 in the f-block and is classified as a lanthanide.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Ytterbium?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Ytterbium (Z = 70) is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s². Across its 6 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 6), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2, with 3 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Ytterbium?
Ytterbium commonly forms +3, +2 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.10 and its first ionization energy is 603 kJ/mol.
When was Ytterbium discovered and what is it used for?
Ytterbium was discovered in 1878 (Ytterby, Sweden). Atomic clocks, stainless steel
How does Ytterbium compare to neighboring elements?
Other lanthanide elements: