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Ytterbium (Yb)
Element with atomic number 70, category: Lanthanide, a solid at room temperature.
Element 70 of 118
Lanthanide
Ytterbium
Group 16, Period 6 (lanthanide series)
Common Uses
Lasers, atomic clocks
Electron Diagram
About Ytterbium
Ytterbium is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70, meaning every atom has 70 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Lanthanide and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 173.045 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Ytterbium sits in group 16, period 6 (lanthanide series), which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Ytterbium
In daily life and industry, Ytterbium is used for Lasers, atomic clocks. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Lanthanide category.
Electron Structure of Ytterbium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Ytterbium has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 10 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.