Ytterbium

Symbol: Yb
Atomic number: 70
Category: lanthanides
Group: n/a
Period: 6
Block: f
Atomic weight: 173.04 g/mol
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2
CAS number: 7440-64-4
Phase: solid
Density: 6.90 kg/dm³ (near room temperature)
Melting point: 1097 K (824 °C, 1515 °F)
Boiling point: 1469 K (1196 °C, 2185 °F)
Crystal structure: cubic face centered
Oxidation states: 2, 3
Electronegativity: 1.1 (Pauling scale)
Name's origin: Ytterby
Name's meaning: the name of a village in Sweden
Facts:
- is a soft, malleable and rather ductile element that exhibits a bright silvery luster
- is a rare earth of the lanthanide series and is found in the minerals gadolinite, monazite, and xenotime
- is sometimes associated with yttrium or other related elements and is used in certain steels
- natural ytterbium is a mix of seven stable isotopes
- as a rare and expensive, thulium does not have many practical applications
- is fairly stable, it nevertheless should be stored in closed containers to protect it from air and moisture
- compounds of ytterbium should be treated as highly toxic although initial studies appear to indicate that the danger is limited
- is used e.g. as a source of X-rays, in doping of stainless steel, and in solar cells
- metallic ytterbium dust poses a fire and explosion hazard