Atomic / phase data
Reference atomic and phase values are source-reviewed.
Material structure
The ordinary elemental structure is measured/reviewed; the viewer is a teaching representation.
Element vs material uses
Uses distinguish elemental metal from compounds, alloys, doped hosts or isotope-specific systems.
Geography
Discovery/supply context is selective and does not fabricate deposits, facilities or inventories.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Ytterbium (Yb)
Ytterbium is element 70, a lanthanide with a filled 4f shell whose Yb²⁺/Yb³⁺ chemistry and narrow optical transitions connect the periodic table to fiber lasers, precision clocks and specialized catalysts.
Ytterbium atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Ytterbium: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does ytterbium have?
Ytterbium’s atomic number is 70, so every ytterbium atom has 70 protons, and a neutral atom also has 70 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, ytterbium-174, has 104 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for ytterbium?
The chemical symbol for ytterbium is Yb.
Is ytterbium a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Ytterbium is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is ytterbium in?
Ytterbium is a lanthanide, in period 6 (the f-block row shown below the main table) of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of ytterbium?
The ground-state electron configuration of ytterbium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s².
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
70 protons define ytterbium.
The ground-state configuration frames atomic and chemical behavior.
Periodic position organizes recurring chemistry and trends.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Phase claims preserve source-reviewed evidence and material context.
Ytterbium in its period and family
Ytterbium is the last element before lutetium in the lanthanide sequence. Its filled 4f¹⁴ subshell makes Yb²⁺ unusually accessible in addition to the common Yb³⁺ state.
Ytterbium Visual Lab
Explore Yb across the teaching nucleus, isolated-atom orbitals, evidence-aware material structure and temperature/evidence views, then connect those models to uses, isotopes, search-led questions and source-backed context.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Ytterbium in one minute
Atomic number 70 means every ytterbium nucleus has 70 protons.
Neutral Ytterbium has the ground-state configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s².
The representative teaching isotope is ¹⁷⁴Yb.
Ytterbium metal, Yb-doped laser glass and trapped/neutral ytterbium used in precision clocks are different physical systems.
The ordinary material reference is Face-centred cubic (FCC) at room temperature.
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 8 · 2 electrons
The displayed 4f_xyz orbital is one representative real f cubic harmonic. It is not a picture of the whole 4f subshell or the electronic bands in the bulk material.
Ytterbium is represented by its ordinary room-temperature FCC metal structure. Yb-doped laser hosts and optical-clock atoms/ions are separate physical contexts.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
The displayed 4f_xyz orbital is one representative real f cubic harmonic. It is not a picture of the whole 4f subshell or the electronic bands in the bulk material.
Where do I meet ytterbium?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Fiber lasers
Yb³⁺-doped fibers are widely used in high-power solid-state/fiber laser systems.
4f¹⁴ → Yb²⁺/Yb³⁺ → lasers & precision clocks
A filled 4f shell makes Yb unusual among late lanthanides, but its practical laser and clock roles depend on specific ions, isotopes and host/trapping environments.
4f¹⁴6s²
Filled 4f subshell in neutral Yb.
Ytterbium in periodic context
Compare nearby or family-related elements without treating a trend as a substitute for element-specific evidence.
| Atomic number | 69 |
|---|---|
| Series | lanthanide |
| Atomic number | 70 |
|---|---|
| Series | lanthanide |
| Atomic number | 71 |
|---|---|
| Series | lanthanide |
Ytterbium properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 70 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 173.045 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s² | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 1.10 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁷⁴Yb | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Soft silvery lanthanide metal | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 6.90 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Face-centred cubic (FCC) at room temperature | Ytterbium is represented by its ordinary room-temperature FCC metal structure. Yb-doped laser hosts and optical-clock atoms/ions are separate physical contexts. | Measured |
| Classification | Lanthanide | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | Ytterbium is represented by its ordinary room-temperature FCC metal structure. Yb-doped laser hosts and optical-clock atoms/ions are separate physical contexts. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 1097 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | 1469 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Phase-path context | At approximately standard pressure, ytterbium is treated as a solid below 1097 K, liquid between melting and approximately 1469 K, and gas above the boiling reference. The ordinary crystal label applies to the stated material reference; unmodeled solid allotropy is not fabricated. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | +3, +2 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Yb³⁺ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Ytterbium is the last element before lutetium in the lanthanide sequence. Its filled 4f¹⁴ subshell makes Yb²⁺ unusually accessible in addition to the common Yb³⁺ state. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁷⁴Yb | Most abundant natural isotope | Reference teaching isotope for this page. | Evaluated |
| Natural ytterbium | Multiple-isotope element | Several naturally occurring isotopes contribute to the atomic weight. | Evaluated |
| Clock isotopes | Isotope-specific precision physics | Selected Yb isotopes are used in atomic/ion clock research. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁷⁴Yb · 70 protons + 104 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page evidence note | Atomic identity and reference values are source-reviewed. Material viewers are teaching representations, not crystallographic refinements. Search demand shapes headings and FAQs but never overrides measured/evaluated evidence or element-versus-compound distinctions. | Evidence summary for this guide | Reviewed |
| Structure evidence | Ytterbium is represented by its ordinary room-temperature FCC metal structure. Yb-doped laser hosts and optical-clock atoms/ions are separate physical contexts. | Measured structure, labelled schematic, prediction or explicit unknown as applicable. | Reviewed |
| Map evidence rule | Real pins are reviewed examples; conceptual layers are used when pins would mislead. | Geography Explorer 2.0 | Reviewed |
| Source set | 3 primary/reference links listed below | Open the Sources section for the actual references. | Reviewed |
Is Ytterbium a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
At approximately standard pressure, ytterbium is treated as a solid below 1097 K, liquid between melting and approximately 1469 K, and gas above the boiling reference. The ordinary crystal label applies to the stated material reference; unmodeled solid allotropy is not fabricated.
Where on Earth is Ytterbium found or produced?
Who discovered Ytterbium, and when?
Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac separated ytterbium from erbium-rich material in Geneva.
Further work showed the earlier ytterbium fraction contained another element, later named lutetium.
Purification and spectroscopy revealed useful Yb²⁺/Yb³⁺ optical and solid-state behavior.
Yb is important in fiber lasers, precision metrology and advanced materials research.
From source material to Ytterbium applications: high-level material path
Ytterbium is obtained from mineral or metallurgical feedstocks in which it is chemically associated with other elements rather than mined as abundant native metal.
Industrial separation and refining produce element-specific compounds or metal feedstock; this guide does not provide operational extraction recipes.
The refined material is converted into the particular alloy, compound, doped host or component required by the application.
Recycling and recovery depend on the host product, concentration and economics; application materials must not be confused with pure element.
What is ytterbium used for?
Fiber lasers
Yb³⁺-doped fibers and crystals support efficient high-power laser systems.
Optical clocks
Neutral Yb or Yb ions support precision frequency-standard research.
Catalysis
Ytterbium compounds are used in specialized Lewis-acid and synthetic chemistry.
Advanced materials
Yb intermetallics are studied for unusual valence and correlated-electron behavior.
Ytterbium isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁷⁴Yb
Most abundant natural isotopeReference teaching isotope for this page.
Natural ytterbium
Multiple-isotope elementSeveral naturally occurring isotopes contribute to the atomic weight.
Clock isotopes
Isotope-specific precision physicsSelected Yb isotopes are used in atomic/ion clock research.
Five-question Ytterbium check
What is Ytterbium’s atomic number?
Which classification best fits Ytterbium?
What is the representative teaching isotope?
Which statement respects the material evidence?
Which rule should guide real-world uses?
Ytterbium questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is ytterbium?
Short answer: Ytterbium is chemical element 70, symbol Yb, a soft silvery lanthanide metal.
Atomic number 70 means every ytterbium nucleus contains 70 protons. In the periodic table, Ytterbium is classified here as a lanthanide in Period 6 and Group Lanthanide. Ytterbium is the last element before lutetium in the lanthanide sequence. Its filled 4f¹⁴ subshell makes Yb²⁺ unusually accessible in addition to the common Yb³⁺ state.
Key point: Yb is element 70; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is ytterbium used for?
Short answer: Important uses include Yb-doped fiber lasers, precision atomic clocks, catalysts and advanced materials research.
Fiber lasers: Yb³⁺-doped fibers and crystals support efficient high-power laser systems. Optical clocks: Neutral Yb or Yb ions support precision frequency-standard research. Ytterbium metal, Yb-doped laser glass and trapped/neutral ytterbium used in precision clocks are different physical systems. The filled 4f¹⁴ neutral-atom configuration does not mean every Yb compound is chemically inert.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Where is ytterbium found?
Short answer: It occurs mixed with other lanthanides in minerals such as monazite and is separated during rare-earth processing.
Ytterbium is obtained from mineral or metallurgical feedstocks in which it is chemically associated with other elements rather than mined as abundant native metal. The Geography Explorer keeps natural occurrence separate from resources, industrial production and recycling, because those datasets answer different questions about ytterbium.
Key point: Natural occurrence, resources, production and recycling are different geography questions.
Who discovered ytterbium?
Short answer: Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac separated ytterbium in 1878.
In 1878, Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac separated ytterbium from erbium-rich material in Geneva. In 1907, Further work showed the earlier ytterbium fraction contained another element, later named lutetium.
Key point: Discovery credit follows the historical evidence and accepted attribution, not just the earliest claim.
How do you pronounce ytterbium?
Short answer: A common pronunciation is ih-TER-bee-um.
Pronunciation is a speaking aid; in chemical notation the element is identified unambiguously by the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. That distinction matters when element names are unfamiliar or similarly spelled.
Key point: Say the name as shown, but use Yb and atomic number 70 for unambiguous chemical identity.
Is ytterbium a metal?
Short answer: Yes. It is a lanthanide metal.
This guide classifies Ytterbium as a lanthanide. Its periodic position is Period 6, f-block, Group Lanthanide. Ytterbium is the last element before lutetium in the lanthanide sequence. Its filled 4f¹⁴ subshell makes Yb²⁺ unusually accessible in addition to the common Yb³⁺ state.
Key point: Periodic-table classification describes recurring atomic/chemical behavior; it does not make every element in a column physically identical.
Is ytterbium radioactive?
Short answer: Natural ytterbium is a mixture of long-lived/stable natural isotopes; radioactivity questions must be isotope-specific rather than applied to the element indiscriminately.
¹⁷⁴Yb: Most abundant natural isotope: Reference teaching isotope for this page. Natural ytterbium: Multiple-isotope element: Several naturally occurring isotopes contribute to the atomic weight.
Key point: Radioactivity is isotope-specific; do not apply one isotope’s nuclear behavior to every atom of the element.
How many valence electrons does ytterbium have?
Short answer: The neutral ground state is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s². In chemistry, Yb commonly forms +2 or +3 ions.
The neutral-atom ground-state reference used on this page is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s². This is an isolated-atom reference: bonding and ion formation can change which outer electrons are present or chemically active. The listed common oxidation-state context is +3, +2, which helps connect the atomic configuration to ordinary chemistry without treating electron counting as a single universal rule.
Key point: Electron configuration is a ground-state atomic reference, not a literal picture of every compound.
Scientific sources for Ytterbium
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Ytterbium
- NIST - Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- IUPAC - Periodic Table of Elements
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