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The chemical element ytterbium has the symbol Yb and the atomic number 70. It is the fourteenth and penultimate element in the lanthanide series, and its +2 oxidation state is the basis for its relative stability. Like the other lanthanides, its most common oxidation state is +3, as seen in its oxide, halides, and other compounds. Its density, melting and boiling temperatures differ greatly from those of most other lanthanides due to its closed-shell electron structure.
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Key Terms: Ytterbium, Minerals, Rare Metal, Oxidisation, Properties of Ytterbium, Reactions, Isotopes
What is Ytterbium?
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The rare-earth metal ytterbium is the most volatile. It is a soft, pliable silvery metal that tarnishes somewhat when exposed to air, it should be stored in a vacuum or in an inert atmosphere for extended periods of time. It slowly oxidises in air, generating Yb2O3; the metal dissolves readily in diluted acids, with the exception of hydrofluoric acid (HF).
| Characteristics of Ytterbium
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Physical Properties of Ytterbium
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- When pure, ytterbium has a dazzling silvery shine and is a smooth, malleable, and ductile chemical element. It's a rare earth metal that dissolves readily in strong mineral acids. It slowly oxidises in the air and reacts with cold water.
- Ytterbium is paramagnetic at temperatures above 1.0 kelvin, unlike the other rare-earth metals, which are antiferromagnetic and/or ferromagnetic at low temperatures. On the other hand, the alpha allotrope is diamagnetic.
- With a melting point of 824 °C and a boiling point of 1196 °C, ytterbium has the lowest liquid range of all the metals.
Zinc Oxide in Powdered form
Chemical Properties of Ytterbium
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Chemical Properties of Ytterbium are as follows:
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Group | Lanthanides |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f |
| Atomic number | 70 |
| State at 20°C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f14 6s2 |
| Melting point | 824°C, 1515°F, 1097 K |
| Boiling point | 1196°C, 2185°F, 1469 K |
| Density (g cm−3) | 6.90 |
| Relative atomic mass | 173.045 |
| Key isotopes | 172Yb, 173Yb, 174Yb |
| CAS number | 7440-64-4 |
- In the presence of air, ytterbium metal tarnishes slowly, acquiring a golden or brown colour. In the presence of oxygen, finely scattered ytterbium quickly oxidises. A brilliant emerald-green flame is produced by combining powdered ytterbium with polytetrafluoroethylene or hexachloroethane.
- Ytterbium combines with hydrogen to generate non-stoichiometric hydrides in a variety of ways. In water, ytterbium dissolves slowly but quickly in acids, releasing hydrogen gas.
- Ytterbium is an electropositive metal that forms ytterbium (III) hydroxide when it reacts slowly with cold water and fast with hot water.
- All halogens react with ytterbium.
- Ytterbia, Yb2O3, is white in color and ytterbium salts are also colourless because the ytterbium (III) ion absorbs light in the near-infrared region but not visible light. Ytterbium rapidly dissolves in dilute sulfuric acid, forming solutions containing the colourless Yb (III) ions.
Read More: Classification of Elements and Periodicity
Uses and applications of Ytterbium
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- In stainless steel, ytterbium can be used as a dopant to improve grain refinement, strength, and other mechanical qualities. Only a small amount of ytterbium alloys have been used in dentistry.
- With ticks that are less than two sections of one quintillion, ytterbium clocks provide the maximum level of stability. In the clocks produced at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 10,000 rare-earth atoms are cooled to 10 microkelvins (10 millionths of a degree above absolute zero) and trapped in an optical lattice (NIST).
- The 169Yb isotope (half-life 32 days) and the short-lived 175Yb isotope (half-life 4.2 days) have both been employed as radiation sources in portable X-ray equipment. The source's gamma rays, like X-rays, penetrate through the soft tissues of the body but are prevented by bones and other dense materials.
- In dentistry, ytterbium alloys have been employed.
- It's also utilised as a catalyst in industries.
- Ytterbium is an electropositive silvery-white metal that forms ytterbium hydroxide when it combines with water.
- Memory devices and tunable lasers now use ytterbium as a component.
Production Process of Ytterbium
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Because of its comparable qualities, separating ytterbium from other lanthanides is challenging. As a result, the procedure is lengthy.
- Minerals such as monazite and xenotime are first dissolved in acids like sulfuric acid. Ion exchange can then be used to separate ytterbium from other lanthanides, as well as other lanthanides.
- After that, the solution is put to a resin, where different lanthanides attach in different ways. This is then dissolved with complexing agents, and the compounds can be isolated thanks to the various forms of bonding displayed by the various lanthanides.
Precautions Taken While Using Ytterbium
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- Although ytterbium is chemically stable, it is protected against air and moisture by being stored in airtight containers and in an inert atmosphere such as a nitrogen-filled dry box.
- Although studies appear to imply that the threat is limited, all ytterbium compounds are considered as very poisonous Human skin and eyes are irritated by ytterbium compounds, and some of them may be teratogenic.
- Metallic ytterbium dust can spontaneously ignite, releasing dangerous gases.
- Ytterbium fires are impossible to put out with water, and only dry chemical class D fire extinguishers can do it.
Ytterbium's Health Consequences
- Although ytterbium has no biological function, its salts have been found to increase metabolism. Ytterbium is a known irritant to the skin and eyes, as well as a possible teratogen. All chemicals should be kept in tightly sealed containers, away from air and moisture, and handled with caution.
Environmental Effects of Ytterbium
- Metallic ytterbium dust is flammable and explosive. Plants and animals are unaffected by ytterbium, and its salts are being used as catalysts in the chemical industry instead of harmful and polluting alternatives.
Read More: Isotopes and Isobars
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Things to Remember
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- It's a rare earth metal that's white, silvery, soft, and ductile.
- Strong acids damage it, and it reacts slowly with cold water and air. When reacted or oxidised in air, the oxide creates a protective layer on the surface.
- When compared to other elements, Ytterbium has a wide range of physical properties.
- At low temperatures, elements usually have ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic properties, but at 0.1 Kelvin, it is paramagnetic
- Salts of Ytterbium increase Metabolism.
- Metallic ytterbium dust can spontaneously ignite, releasing dangerous gases.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Ytterbium's Appearance? (2 Marks)
Ans: Ytterbium is a silvery-white, brilliant, smooth metal with ductile and malleable characteristics. It's a member of the rare earth family of metals. In the air, the metal tarnishes quickly, but it takes a long time to react with water.
Ques. Is Ytterbium a Hazardous Compound? (2 Marks)
Ans: While some research implies that the risk is low, all ytterbium compounds are considered very hazardous. Human skin and eyes are irritated by ytterbium compounds, and some of them may be teratogenic. Metallic ytterbium dust will spontaneously ignite, emitting toxic vapours.
Ques. How many Ytterbium isotopes are there? (2 Marks)
Ans: With mass numbers ranging from 151 to 180, ytterbium contains 30 isotopes with known half-lives. Ytterbium is made up of seven isotopes that are found in the following amounts in nature: 168Yb (0.1%), 170Yb (3.0%), 171Yb (14.3%), 172Yb (21.8%), 173Yb (16.1%), 174Yb (31.8%) and 176Yb (12.8%)
Ques. What are the sources of Ytterbium? (2 Marks)
Ans: Ytterbium is found in a number of minerals, the most common of which are monazite, gadolinite, euxenite, and xenotime. Because their chemical properties are so similar, isolating rare earth elements from each other has proven difficult and expensive in the past. Since the 1940s, ion exchange and solvent extraction techniques have reduced production costs.
Ques. What is the purpose of ytterbium? (2 Marks)
Ans: Ytterbium has a limited number of applications. It can be alloyed with stainless steel to improve mechanical qualities, and it can also be used in fibre optic cable as a doping agent. One of the ytterbium isotopes is being considered as a radiation source for portable X-ray devices.
Ques. How was Ytterbium Discovered? (3 Marks)
Ans: The Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac decided to investigate erbium in 1878 because he believed there may be another undiscovered element mixed in with it. Turns out, he was right! He decomposed a sample of erbium nitrate by heating it. He obtained two oxides: one white and one red. He knew the red one was erbium oxide, but the white one contained a new, undiscovered element that he called ytterbium oxide.
Ques. Why do we co-dope ytterbium in glasses with other rare earth? (3 Marks)
Ans: As it has a higher absorption cross-section than other lanthanides, Yb3+ should be added as a co-dopant. For instance, Er3+/Yb3+, both ions absorb light at 980 nm, but Yb3+ has a much greater absorption than Er3+ (the exact number depends on the host). As a result, Yb3+ acts as an excitation light sensitizer.
Although the major absorption peak often occurs at 980 nm, Yb3+ may typically be excited also about 920 nm.
Ques. How radioactive is ytterbium? (1 Mark)
Ans: Ytterbium has eight radioactive isotopes. One such radioactive isotope that emits gamma radiation resembling X rays is ytterbium-169.
Ques. Ytterbium is natural or artificial? (2 Marks)
Ans: 168Yb (0.1 percent), 170Yb (3.0 percent), 171Yb (14.3 percent), 172Yb (21.8 percent), 173Yb (16.1 percent), 174Yb (31.8 percent), and 176Yb are the seven isotopes that make up naturally occurring ytterbium (12.8 percent). At 31.8 percent, 174Yb is the isotope that is most prevalent.
Ques. Ytterbium burns with what colour? (2 Marks)
Ans: When combined with polytetrafluoroethylene and hexachloroethane, ytterbium burns with a distinctive green flame. With weak acids, ytterbium reacts vigorously to produce salts. With the exception of the fluoride, sulphate, and oxalate salts, most of these salts are soluble in water. These salts are all of a white tint.
Ques. Is Ytterbium magnetic? (1 Mark)
Ans: The least magnetically susceptible of all the rare-earth elements, ytterbium is only slightly paramagnetic.
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