Iterbio (Yb): Bohr Model, Protons, Neutrons & Electrons
Iterbio is element number 70, a lanthanide in the f-block (the lanthanide row drawn below the table), period 6. Its atom has 70 protons, 104 neutrons and 70 electrons arranged in 6 shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2.
- 70 protons
- 104 neutrons
- 70 electrons
Protons, neutrons and electrons in ytterbium
El atomic number of ytterbium is 70, so every ytterbium atom has 70 protons. A neutral atom has the same number of electrons, 70. The number of neutrons depends on the isotope: neutrons = mass number − atomic number. For ytterbium-174, that is 174 − 70 = 104 neutrons. Ytterbium has 7 stable isotopes, with 98, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106 neutrons.
How to draw the Bohr model of ytterbium
- Draw the nucleus and write 70 p⁺ y 104 n⁰ inside it.
- Draw the first shell and put 2 electrons on it (the first shell holds at most 2).
- Draw the second shell and put 8 electrons on it.
- Draw the third shell and put 18 electrons on it.
- Draw the fourth shell and put 32 electrons on it.
- Draw the fifth shell and put 8 electrons on it.
- Draw the sixth shell and put 2 electrons on it.
- Check: 2 + 8 + 18 + 32 + 8 + 2 = 70 electrons, the same as the number of protons.
From potassium onwards the shells don’t simply fill as 2, 8, 8: the fourth shell starts before the third is full, so the real arrangement above (2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2) is the one to draw.
Electron configuration
The electron configuration of ytterbium is [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁴. As a lanthanide it fills an inner f-subshell, and its common ion is Yb³⁺.
Key facts about ytterbium
| Symbol | Yb |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 70 |
| Relative atomic mass | 173.05 |
| Group · period · block | f-block · period 6 |
| Tipo | Lantánido |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Capas electrónicas | 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2 |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁴ |
| Electrones de valencia | varies (outer shell: 2) |
| Common ion | Yb³⁺ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.10 |
| First ionisation energy | 6.25 eV (603 kJ/mol) |
| Atomic radius (empirical) | 175 pm |
¿Dónde ytterbium sits on the periodic table
Preguntas frecuentes
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does ytterbium have?
Ytterbium has 70 protons and 70 electrons (atomic number 70). Its most common isotope, ytterbium-174, has 174 − 70 = 104 neutrons.
What is the electron configuration of ytterbium?
[Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁴. In shells that is 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2.
How many valence electrons does ytterbium have?
Ytterbium is a lanthanide, so its valence electrons are spread over two shells; its outermost shell holds 2.
Where is ytterbium on the periodic table?
In the f-block (the lanthanide row drawn below the table), period 6, in the f-block. It is a lanthanide.
