Ytterbium

Atomic Number: 70
Symbol: Yb
Atomic Mass: 173.04 u
Number of Neutrons: 103
Melting Point: 824°C
Boiling Point: 1196°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.18.32.8.2
Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s²

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Ytterbium is the 70th element in the periodic table and it is part of the lanthanide series. It is a soft, malleable and ductile metal that displays a bright silvery color in it's pure form. It is a rare earth element and is only found in ores. It costs around 530$ per 100 grams and this element oxidizes slowly when in contact with air. One of ytterbium's isotopes (ytterbium-169) can used as a source for portable x-rays. The element yttrium (atomic number 39) has a very similar name to ytterbium. That is because both elements were found in the same mine. They also have similar properties. This element can be mined from the ground in ores and minerals. An example of a an ore is, monazite sand, which contains approximately 0.03% ytterbium. The element can also found in trace amounts in euxenite and xenotime. The main mining areas are China, the United States, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. A French chemist, Jean-Charles-Galissard de Marignac, discovered ytterbium in 1794.

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