This list includes 2 Chemical Elements that start with Y, from “Ytterbium” to “Yttrium”. Both are metallic rare-earth elements commonly used in alloys, lasers, LEDs, and electronics. See the A–Z index for other letters.

Chemical Elements that start with Y are members of the periodic table whose names begin with the letter Y. Both “Yttrium” and “Ytterbium” are named for Ytterby, Sweden, a village famous for supplying several element discoveries.

Below you’ll find the table with Atomic number, Atomic weight, and Discovery year.

Atomic number: The atomic number tells you each element’s proton count and helps you place it in periodic order.

Atomic weight: The atomic weight gives the standard mass per atom so you can compare relative element weights easily.

Discovery year: The discovery year indicates when the element was first isolated or reported, which you can use for historical context.

Chemical Elements that start with Y

NameAtomic numberStandard atomic weight (u)Discovery year
Yttrium3988.91 u1794 (Gadolin) [IUPAC]
Ytterbium70173.05 u1878 (de Marignac) [IUPAC]

Descriptions

Yttrium
Soft, silvery transition metal used in LEDs, phosphors, ceramics and superconductors; a naturally occurring rare-earth element.
Ytterbium
Soft, malleable rare-earth metal used in specialized lasers, atomic clocks, and as a dopant or chemical reductant; occurs naturally in rare-earth minerals.
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