Ytterbium
Definition and meaning of Ytterbium in chemistry.
Ytterbium is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a soft, silvery metallic element belonging to the lanthanide series and is characterized by a bright, lustrous appearance when freshly cut.
In more detail
Ytterbium exhibits three distinct allotropic forms at different temperatures, labeled alpha, beta, and gamma, and is widely known for having a high vapor pressure and a relatively low melting point compared to neighboring lanthanides. It occurs naturally in several rare earth minerals, particularly monazite, euxenite, and xenotime, where it is found alongside other heavy lanthanides like thulium and lutetium. The bulk metal slowly oxidizes in air to form a passivating layer, dissolves readily in dilute acids, and reacts slowly with water to form basic ytterbium(III) hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Positioned near the absolute end of the f-block on the periodic table, its electron configuration causes it to primarily form trivalent (+3) chemical compounds. However, ytterbium also possesses a highly stable divalent (+2) oxidation state because shedding two electrons leaves a completely filled, closed 4f electron shell, which strongly stabilizes the +2 configuration. Radioactive isotopes of this element, specifically ytterbium-169, are occasionally utilized as portable radiation sources for non-destructive industrial radiography and small X-ray machines.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Yb |
| Atomic number | 70 |
| Atomic mass | 173.05 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Discovered by | Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac |
| Discovery year | 1878 |
| Stable isotopes | 7 |
Ytterbium is extensively utilized as a chemical dopant in optical materials, specifically in solid-state lasers and fiber amplifiers that operate in the near-infrared spectrum for industrial metal cutting and advanced medical procedures.
Frequently asked questions
Why is ytterbium named after a small village?
The element is named after Ytterby, a village in Sweden where a single quarry yielded numerous novel rare earth minerals that contained this and several other previously undiscovered elements.
Does ytterbium have any known biological role or significant toxicity?
Ytterbium has no known biological role in living organisms and is generally considered to have very low toxicity, though its salts can cause skin and eye irritation upon direct contact.