Ytterbium
Ytterbium is a chemical element with symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is the fourteenth and penultimate element in the lanthanide series, which is the basis of the relative stability of its +2 oxidation state. However, like the other lanthanides, its most common oxidation state is +3, seen in its oxide, halides and other compounds.
A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.
54 is the [Xe] core total across five shells.
At a glance
- Atomic number
- 70
- Atomic mass
- 173.0451 u
- Phase
- Solid
- Density
- 6.9 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1,097 K
- Boiling point
- 1,469 K
- First ionization energy
- 603.4 kJ/mol
- Electronegativity
- 1.1
- Electron affinity
- -1.93 kJ/mol
- Molar heat capacity
- 26.74 J/(mol·K)
- Period
- 6
- Appearance
- Unavailable
Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, imagery, and reference data in more depth. Properties with no value in the reference are marked unavailable.