Tantalum (Ta) – Periodic Table [Element Information & More]

Tantalum element (Ta) is in group 5 and period 6 of a periodic table. Tantalum 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 tantalum which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.

So let’s dive right into it!

Table of contents

• Tantalum element (Information Table)
• Tantalum element in Periodic table
• Facts about Tantalum
• Properties of Tantalum
• Uses of Tantalum

Tantalum Element (Information Table)

The important data related to tantalum element is given in the table below.

Appearance of tantalum	Metallic gray with bluish tint
Atomic number of tantalum	73
Symbol of tantalum	Ta
Atomic mass of tantalum	180.95 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in tantalum	Protons: 73, Neutrons: 108, Electrons: 73
State of tantalum (at STP)	Solid
Group number of tantalum in periodic table	5
Period number of tantalum in periodic table	6
Block of tantalum in periodic table	d-block
Category of tantalum	Transition metal
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in tantalum	2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2
Electron configuration of tantalum	[Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Orbital diagram of tantalum
Electronegativity of tantalum (on pauling scale)	1.5
Atomic radius of tantalum (van der Waals radius)	217 picometers
Density of tantalum	16.65 g/cm3
1st ionization energy of tantalum	7.89 eV
Main isotope of tantalum	181Ta
Melting point of tantalum	3290 K or 3017 °C or 5463 °F
Boiling point of tantalum	5731 K or 5458 °C or 9856 °F
Crystal structure of tantalum	Body Centered Cubic (BCC)
Discovery of tantalum	By Anders Gustaf Ekeberg 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).

Tantalum element in Periodic table

The Tantalum element (Ta) has the atomic number 73 and is located in group 5 and period 6. Tantalum is a metal and it is classified as a transition element.

Facts about tantalum

Here are a few interesting facts about the tantalum element.

1. Anders Gustaf Ekeberg discovered tantalum in the year 1802.
2. Tantalum was given its name from the Greek mythological character “Tantalos”.
3. Earth’s crust contains around 1.7 ppm (by weight) of tantalum.
4. Australia produces the largest amount of tantalum than any other region.
5. Most of the tantalum is obtained from the ore Columbite and Tantalite.

Properties of tantalum

Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of tantalum.

Physical properties of tantalum

• Tantalum has a gray shiny metallic appearance.
• Tantalum can be drawn into thin wires because of its ductility.
• Tantalum can conduct heat and electricity.
• Tantalum has a BCC crystal structure.
• There are many isotopes of tantalum and out of those isotopes, the most abundant isotope is ¹⁸¹Ta.
• The melting point and boiling point of tantalum is 3290 K and 5731 K respectively.

Chemical properties of tantalum

• Tantalum is basically non reactive to most of the chemicals at room temperature.
• The oxide layer on the  tantalum also protects it from further oxidation.
• Tantalum reacts with hydrofluoric acid at room temperature.

Uses of tantalum

Here are some uses of the tantalum element.

• Tantalum is used in capacitors, resistors, and other electrical devices.
• Tantalum oxide is used in manufacturing camera lenses that require a higher refractive index.
• Tantalum has a very high melting point and so it is added to other metals to increase the melting point.
• Tantalum is also used in some parts of missiles and aircrafts.

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