
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.
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 tantalum
Here are a few interesting facts about the tantalum element.
- Anders Gustaf Ekeberg discovered tantalum in the year 1802.
- Tantalum was given its name from the Greek mythological character “Tantalos”.
- Earth’s crust contains around 1.7 ppm (by weight) of tantalum.
- Australia produces the largest amount of tantalum than any other region.
- 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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