3988.906YYttrium
Yttrium (Y) — element 39transition metal · group 3, period 5
Yttrium is a chemical element with the symbol Y and atomic number 39. It is a transition metal in group 3, period 5 of the periodic table (the d-block), with a standard atomic mass of 88.906 u. At room temperature (25 °C) yttrium is a solid.
💡 Known for: Used in red phosphors, YAG lasers and YBCO high-temperature superconductors.
# Yttrium properties
| Symbol | Y |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 39 |
| Atomic mass | 88.906 u |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 3 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d¹ 5s² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹ 5s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 9, 2 |
| Protons / electrons | 39 / 39 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 1799 K (1525.8 °C, 2778.5 °F) |
| Boiling point | 3609 K (3335.8 °C, 6036.5 °F) |
| Density | 4.469 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.22 |
| First ionization energy | 6.217 eV |
| Atomic radius | 212 pm |
| Discovered | 1794 |
# Electron configuration of yttrium
The electron configuration of yttrium is [Kr] 4d¹ 5s², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹ 5s². Its 39 electrons fill 5 shells as 2, 8, 18, 9, 2, so the outermost shell holds 2 electrons.
# Related elements
SrStrontiumprevious elementZrZirconiumnext elementScScandiumgroup 3TiTitaniumtransition metalVVanadiumtransition metalCrChromiumtransition metalMnManganesetransition metalFeIrontransition metalCoCobalttransition metalNiNickeltransition metalCuCoppertransition metal
# Yttrium FAQ
What is the atomic number of yttrium?
The atomic number of yttrium is 39: every yttrium atom has 39 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Y.
What is the atomic mass of yttrium?
The standard atomic mass of yttrium is 88.906 u.
What is the electron configuration of yttrium?
Yttrium's electron configuration is [Kr] 4d¹ 5s² (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹ 5s²), with 2, 8, 18, 9, 2 electrons per shell.
Is yttrium a metal?
Yes. Yttrium is a transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of yttrium?
Yttrium melts at 1799 K (1525.8 °C, 2778.5 °F) and boils at 3609 K (3335.8 °C, 6036.5 °F).
What is yttrium used for / known for?
Used in red phosphors, YAG lasers and YBCO high-temperature superconductors.