Ytterbium (Yb): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Ytterbium (Yb): Electron Configuration, Properties and Uses
Electron configuration [Xe] 6s2 4f14 · f-block, lanthanide series · period 6 · Ar 173.05
Ytterbium data
- Atomic number
- 70
- Relative atomic mass
- 173.05
- Group
- – (lanthanide series)
- Period
- 6
- Block
- f
- Category
- Lanthanide
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 6s2 4f14
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2 (K L M N O P)
- Valence electrons
- 2 (in the outer shell)
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- no data
- First ionisation energy
- 6.254 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 242 pm
- State at room temperature
- Solid
- Melting point
- 819 °C
- Boiling point
- 1196 °C
- Density
- 6.9 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3, +2
- Discovered
- 1878
Source: PubChem (NIH, accessed 13 Nov 2026); atomic mass: IUPAC standard atomic weight.
Electron shell diagram
K 2 · L 8 · M 18 · N 32 · O 8 · P 2
Orbital diagram (outer electrons)
About ytterbium
With atomic number 70, ytterbium (Yb) has 70 protons in its nucleus and 70 electrons as a neutral atom. It belongs to the lanthanide series in period 6 (f-block), usually shown below the main table. Ytterbium was first discovered in 1878. Ytterbium is a solid at room temperature, melting at 819 °C and boiling at 1196 °C.
Ytterbium electron configuration
The electron configuration of ytterbium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14, or in short [Xe] 6s2 4f14. Its electrons occupy 6 shells: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32, O = 8, P = 2. As a lanthanide, ytterbium fills the 4f subshell. Its outer 6s subshell holds 2 electrons; valence electrons for this series are not assigned by the usual group rule. When it forms cations, electrons leave the outermost subshell first: Yb3+ = [Xe] 4f13.
Filling order: 1s2(2) → 2s2(4) → 2p6(10) → 3s2(12) → 3p6(18) → 4s2(20) → 3d10(30) → 4p6(36) → 5s2(38) → 4d10(48) → 5p6(54) → 6s2(56) → 4f14(70)
Uses of ytterbium
In industry and the laboratory, ytterbium turns up in many places, for example optical atomic clocks, fibre lasers and Lewis-acid catalysts such as ytterbium triflate. For research and analysis you can browse ytterbium compounds in the AMI Scientific catalogue.
Safety
Bulk ytterbium has low toxicity. The main hazards are its dust and salts, so always check the SDS of the compound you use. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before working with a chemical.
Other lanthanides
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of ytterbium?
The electron configuration of ytterbium (Yb, atomic number 70) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14, or [Xe] 6s2 4f14 in short. By shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2.
How many valence electrons does ytterbium have?
Ytterbium has 2 electrons in its outer shell. For lanthanides and actinides, valence electrons are not assigned by the usual group rule.
Which group and period is ytterbium in?
Ytterbium is in the lanthanide series, period 6, f-block.
What is the atomic mass of ytterbium?
The relative atomic mass of ytterbium is 173.05. Use it to calculate molar mass with the molar mass calculator.
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