Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Ytterbium

Atomic number 70 means that every Ytterbium nucleus contains 70 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Ytterbium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 70 means that every Ytterbium nucleus contains 70 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Ytterbium.

Ytterbium (Yb) is chemical element 70. It belongs to the lanthanoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in fibre lasers, alloys and scientific research.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 70 means that every Ytterbium nucleus contains 70 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Ytterbium.

Keep exploring

→ Ytterbium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

70YbYtterbium
Ytterbium · Yb · Z = 70

Ytterbium (Yb) is chemical element 70. It belongs to the lanthanoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Ytterbium (Yb) is chemical element 70. It belongs to the lanthanoids, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in fibre lasers, alloys and scientific research.

What its position in the table tells us

Ytterbium sits in period 6 and the F block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.