Y
Yttrium
Atomic number: 39Mass: 88.906 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Yttrium
Yttrium is a silvery-metallic transition metal. It is never found in nature as a free element. Yttrium is commonly used in making phosphors — the compounds that create colours in television screens and LEDs.
Properties
Period
5
Group
3
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
1.22 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
600 kJ/mol
Melting Point
1799 K (1526°C)
Boiling Point
3609 K (3336°C)
Density
4.472 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+3
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹ 5s²
[Kr] 4d¹ 5s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:9e⁻
Shell 5:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Phosphors for LEDs/TVs
Yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) lasers
Superconductors
Cancer treatment
Camera lenses
Fun Fact
Four elements were named after the Swedish village of Ytterby where they were discovered: Yttrium, Ytterbium, Erbium, and Terbium!