Ytterbium is a chemical element; it has symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a metal, the fourteenth and penultimate element in the lanthanide series, which is the basis of the relative stability of its +2 oxidation state. Like the other lanthanides, its most common oxidation state is +3, as in its oxide, halides, and other compounds. In aqueous solution, like compounds of other late lanthanides, soluble ytterbium compounds form complexes with nine water molecules. Because of its closed-shell electron configuration, its density, melting point and boiling point are much lower than those of most other lanthanides.
ytterBiuM Is A chemicaL ElemEnt; it has symbol yb and aTomic nUmbeR 70. it is a metAl, thE fourteenTH aNd penuLTimatE ELEMeNT In thE lantHaniDE sERIES, wHich is tHe basIs OF thE relAtive staBiliTy of ITS +2 OxidatION staTe. liKE the otheR lANThaNIdeS, its mOst ComMoN oxIDaTion stAtE IS +3, as in Its oxide, hAliDes, And Other compoUnDs. in aQueOuS SoLutIon, likE ComPOUnds of other lAte lANtHAnIdes, soluBle YTteRbIum CoMpOunDS foRm COMplEXeS With nine wATEr moleculeS. bEcaUsE of ItS CloSed-SHell eLeCtroN confIgURaTIon, its densiTy, mELTing POiNt And boiliNG pOiNT aRe muCh lOwEr than Those Of moSt othEr lanthaniDES.