Y
88.906Yttrium
İtriyum
Yttrium is a transition metal with atomic number 39. It is important in YAG lasers, YBCO high-temperature superconductors, red phosphors, white LED phosphors, zirconia stabilization and yttrium-90 cancer therapy.
39
88.906 g/mol
[Kr] 4d¹ 5s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 9 | 2
1.22
4.47 g/cm³
1525.8 °C
3335.8 °C
Johan Gadolin
Yttrium was discovered in minerals from Ytterby, Sweden, by Johan Gadolin in 1794. Ytterby is famous because several element names are linked to minerals from that village.
Yttrium-89
Natural abundance: 100%. The only stable naturally occurring isotope of yttrium.Yttrium-90
Natural abundance: Synthetic. Half-life: About 64.1 hours. Radioactive beta emitter used in cancer therapy applications.Y₂O₃
Yttrium OxideUsed in phosphors, ceramics and stabilized zirconia materials.Y₃Al₅O₁₂
Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG)Laser host crystal and phosphor material.YBa₂Cu₃O₇
YBCOHigh-temperature superconductor with superconductivity above liquid nitrogen temperature.YCl₃
Yttrium ChlorideResearch reagent and precursor for yttrium compounds.- YAG laser crystals for medicine, industry and research
- YBCO high-temperature superconductors
- Yttria-stabilized zirconia for ceramics, dental materials and oxygen sensors
- Phosphors in lighting and display technologies
- Yttrium-90 radioembolization and radiotherapy applications
Yttrium has no known essential biological role. The radioisotope yttrium-90 is used in targeted medical treatments under strict clinical control.
- Ytterby, Sweden, is connected to the names of yttrium, terbium, erbium and ytterbium.
- YBCO was one of the first superconductors to work above liquid nitrogen temperature.
- Nd:YAG lasers use yttrium aluminum garnet as the host crystal.
- Yttrium-90 microspheres are used in targeted liver cancer treatment.
- Yttrium has atomic number 39 and belongs to group 3.
- Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d¹ 5s².
- Yttrium commonly forms Y³⁺ and resembles some rare-earth elements chemically.
- Y³⁺ has a d⁰ configuration, so many simple yttrium compounds are colorless.
What is the atomic number of yttrium?
The atomic number of yttrium is 39.
What is the electron configuration of yttrium?
Yttrium has the electron configuration [Kr] 4d¹ 5s².
What is yttrium used for?
Yttrium is used in YAG lasers, superconductors, phosphors, stabilized zirconia ceramics and yttrium-90 medical therapy.
What is a YAG laser?
A YAG laser uses yttrium aluminum garnet as a crystal host, often doped with neodymium for Nd:YAG laser operation.
What is YBCO?
YBCO is yttrium barium copper oxide, a high-temperature superconductor that can work above liquid nitrogen temperature.
Why is Ytterby important in chemistry?
Ytterby is a Swedish village whose minerals led to the naming of several elements, including yttrium, terbium, erbium and ytterbium.