
Niobium element (Nb) is in group 5 and period 5 of a periodic table. Niobium is in the d-block and it is classified as a transition element on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to niobium which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Niobium element (Information Table)
- Niobium element in Periodic table
- Facts about Niobium
- Properties of Niobium
- Uses of Niobium
Niobium Element (Information Table)
The important data related to niobium element is given in the table below.
Appearance of niobium | Metallic gray |
Atomic number of niobium | 41 |
Symbol of niobium | Nb |
Atomic mass of niobium | 92.906 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in niobium | Protons: 41, Neutrons: 52, Electrons: 41 |
State of niobium (at STP) | Solid |
Group number of niobium in periodic table | 5 |
Period number of niobium in periodic table | 5 |
Block of niobium in periodic table | d-block |
Category of niobium | Transition metal |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in niobium | 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 |
Electron configuration of niobium | [Kr] 4d4 5s1 |
Orbital diagram of niobium | ![]() |
Electronegativity of niobium (on pauling scale) | 1.6 |
Atomic radius of niobium (van der Waals radius) | 207 picometers |
Density of niobium | 8.57 g/cm3 |
1st ionization energy of niobium | 6.759 eV |
Main isotope of niobium | 93Nb |
Melting point of niobium | 2750 K or 2477 °C or 4491 °F |
Boiling point of niobium | 5017 K or 4744 °C or 8571 °F |
Crystal structure of niobium | Body Centered Cubic (BCC) |
Discovery of niobium | By Charles Hatchett in 1801 |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Niobium element in Periodic table
The Niobium element (Nb) has the atomic number 41 and is located in group 5 and period 5. Niobium is a metal and it is classified as a transition element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about niobium
Here are a few interesting facts about niobium element.
- The Niobium element (Nb) was previously named as Columbium (Cb).
- Niobium was discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801.
- Majority of the niobium (approximately 80%) is used in manufacturing of steel.
- The name “Niobium” came from the Greek goddess “Niobe” (daughter of king Tantalus).
- Niobium is the 34th most common element present in the earth’s crust.
- Most of the niobium which is available today comes from Brazil and Canada.
Properties of niobium
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of niobium.
Physical properties of niobium
- Niobium is a metal having a metallic gray appearance.
- The pure niobium metal is somewhat soft and ductile, but the impurities present in it makes it harder.
- Niobium is a crystalline and ductile transition metal.
- Niobium has a BCC (Body Centered Cubic) crystal structure.
- At cryogenic temperatures, the niobium metal shows the properties of a superconductor.
Chemical properties of niobium
- When niobium is kept open in air for a longer time, it forms a bluish tinge.
- There are many isotopes of niobium, but the main isotope is 93Nb and it is present in the earth’s crust.
- Niobium is a transition metal and has an electronic configuration [Kr] 4d4 5s1.
- Niobium is resistant to alkalis as well as some acids like sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid.
- Niobium reacts with oxygen to form oxides.
- Niobium reacts with many other nonmetals at higher temperatures.
Uses of niobium
Here are some uses of the niobium element.
- Niobium is largely used in alloys, which are used mostly in gas pipelines.
- Niobium is added to steel in very small proportions, which gives improved properties like toughness, strength, weldability as well as formability.
- Niobium is also used in superconducting materials.
- Niobium is also used in making super alloys that are used in gas turbines, jet engine components, combustion equipment, etc.
Article by;