Ytterbium
Definition and meaning of Ytterbium in chemistry.
![Ytterbium element card: symbol Yb, atomic number 70, atomic mass 173.05, electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s², oxidation states +3, Lanthanide, f-block, period 6, solid at room temperature.](/assets/images/terms/ytterbium-chemical-element.webp)
Ytterbium is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and the atomic number 70. It is a soft and silvery metal that belongs to the lanthanide series. This element has a bright and lustrous appearance when someone freshly cuts it.
In more detail
Ytterbium takes on three distinct structural forms at different temperature levels. Chemists label these three specific crystal structures as alpha, beta, and gamma forms. The metal has a high vapor pressure and a relatively low melting point.
It melts much easier than most of its neighboring lanthanide elements on the table. You can find ytterbium naturally inside several different rare earth minerals. It often hides inside minerals like monazite, euxenite, and xenotime.
Miners find it mixed alongside other heavy lanthanides like thulium and lutetium. A solid block of this metal will slowly react with oxygen in the air. This slow oxidation creates a protective chemical layer that covers the outside of the metal.
Ytterbium dissolves very easily when you place it into a dilute acid. It also reacts slowly with water to create basic ytterbium(III) hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Ytterbium sits near the very end of the f-block on the periodic table.
Its electron arrangement causes it to mostly form +3 chemical compounds. However, it also has a very stable +2 oxidation state. Losing only two electrons leaves behind a completely full 4f electron shell.
This full shell creates a highly stable electron configuration for the atom. Some radioactive isotopes of this element have special uses in modern industry. The isotope ytterbium-169 serves as a portable radiation source for taking special industrial pictures. Engineers use these small X-ray machines to safely test materials without breaking them.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Yb |
| Atomic number | 70 |
| Atomic mass | 173.05 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Discovery year | 1878 |
Manufacturers use ytterbium as a chemical dopant to improve certain optical materials. They add small amounts of it into solid-state lasers and fiber optic amplifiers. These devices operate in the near-infrared spectrum to cut metal and perform medical surgeries.
Frequently asked questions
Why is ytterbium named after a small village?
The element gets its name from Ytterby, a small village located in Sweden. A local rock quarry there contained many unique rare earth minerals. Scientists discovered ytterbium and several other new elements inside those specific rocks.
Does ytterbium have any known biological role or significant toxicity?
Ytterbium has no known biological purpose inside living human or animal bodies. Scientists generally consider the pure metal to have very low toxicity. However, ytterbium salts can severely irritate your skin and eyes upon direct contact.
Related terms
Sources & references
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