Yttrium (Y): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Yttrium (Y) is element 39 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 5, group 3. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d1 5s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 9, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 88.906 u.
▶ Watch Yttrium’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableYttrium at a glance
| Symbol | Y |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 39 |
| Atomic mass | 88.906 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 3 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d1 5s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Kr] 4d1 5s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 9, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.22 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Yttrium on the periodic table?
Yttrium is in period 5, group 3, in the d-block. The period number matches its 5 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Scandium sits directly above it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Yttrium
Put 39 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹ (39). In shorthand, [Kr] stands for the 36 electrons of krypton, giving [Kr] 4d¹ 5s².
How electronegative is Yttrium?
Yttrium has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.22, ranking 77 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is low: it tends to give up electrons and form positive ions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Yttrium?
The electron configuration of Yttrium (Y) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d1 5s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Kr] 4d1 5s2.
How many electrons does Yttrium have in each shell?
Yttrium has 39 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 9, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Yttrium?
The standard atomic weight of Yttrium is 88.906 u, so one mole of Yttrium atoms has a mass of about 88.906 g.
Is Yttrium a metal?
Yes. Yttrium is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Zirconium, Niobium, Molybdenum, Technetium, Ruthenium, Rhodium. See all elements on the periodic table.