Element 39 · Transition metal
Yttrium (Y) — Element 39
Ytterby, Sweden
Yttrium (Y) is a transition metal in Period 5, Group 3 of the periodic table with atomic number 39, standard atomic weight 88.906 u, and ground-state electron configuration [Kr] 4d¹ 5s². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 3 valence electrons and common oxidation states +3.
LEDs, superconductors, lasers
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Yttrium?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 39
- Standard atomic mass
- 88.906 u
- Chemical family
- Transition metal
- Ground-state configuration
- [Kr] 4d¹ 5s²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 9, 2
- Valence electrons
- 3
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +3
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 1.22 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 600 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 212 pm
- Melting point
- 1,526 °C
- Boiling point
- 3,345 °C
- Discovery year
- 1794
- Table coordinate
- Period 5, Group 3
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Yttrium’s shells?
A neutral Yttrium atom contains 39 electrons distributed across 5 occupied principal energy shells ([Kr] 4d¹ 5s²). The table below compares Yttrium’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in Y | 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 | 9 e⁻ | 32 e⁻ |
| n = 5 | O | 2 e⁻ | 50 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Yttrium (Y)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Yttrium (Y)?
Yttrium (Y) has atomic number Z = 39 (39 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 88.906 u. It sits in Period 5, Group 3 and is classified as a transition metal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Yttrium?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Yttrium (Z = 39) is [Kr] 4d¹ 5s². Across its 5 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 5), the electrons per shell are 2, 8, 18, 9, 2, with 3 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Yttrium?
Yttrium commonly forms +3 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 1.22 and its first ionization energy is 600 kJ/mol.
When was Yttrium discovered and what is it used for?
Yttrium was discovered in 1794 (Ytterby, Sweden). LEDs, superconductors, lasers
How does Yttrium compare to neighboring elements?
Other transition metal elements: