Tantalum (Ta)

Tantalum properties

Atomic number

73

Atomic mass

180.95 u

Category

Transition metal

Group

5

Period

6

Block

d-block

State at room temp.

Solid

Electronegativity

1.5

Melting point

3,290 K (3,016.8 °C)

Boiling point

5,731 K (5,457.8 °C)

Density

16.69 g/cm³

Valence electrons

2

Common charges

+5

Oxidation states

+5

Atomic radius

217 pm

Ionization energy

7.89 eV

Electron affinity

0.322 eV

Radioactive

No, has stable isotopes

Discovered

1802

Tantalum electron configuration

The electron configuration of Tantalum (Ta) is [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2. Its 73 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2.

Protons, neutrons and electrons in Tantalum

A neutral Tantalum atom has 73 protons and 73 electrons. Most Tantalum atoms have about 108 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 181, minus the atomic number 73.

Neutrons are approximate: atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons (isotopes). Atomic number and mass

How many valence electrons does Tantalum have?

2

Tantalum has 2 valence electrons, counting the electrons in its outermost s subshell. Like most transition metals, it can also use d electrons in bonding.

See every element: Periodic table with valence electrons

Tantalum orbital diagram

Each box is an orbital that holds up to two electrons with opposite spins (↑↓). The inner shells are the same as the noble gas in brackets. How to write electron configurations

Molar mass of Tantalum

180.95 g/mol

One mole of Tantalum atoms (6.022 × 10²³ atoms) has a mass of 180.95 grams. Use this value to convert between grams and moles.

Tantalum facts

• Tantalum resists almost all acids, even aqua regia, at ordinary temperatures; hydrofluoric acid is one of the few that attack it.
• Coltan, a major tantalum ore, is classed as a conflict mineral because its mining has helped fund armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Tantalum (Ta) has atomic number 73 and is a solid at room temperature. It was discovered in 1802.

Position in the periodic table

Tantalum is element 73, in period 6 and group 5 of the periodic table, in the d-block.

All transition metals

Uses of Tantalum

Tantalum's largest use is in small, high-capacity capacitors for phones, laptops, cars, and medical devices. Because the body tolerates it well, tantalum is used in surgical implants, bone screws, and sutures. It is also added to superalloys for jet engines and used to line chemical equipment that must resist corrosive liquids, while tantalum carbide makes hard cutting tools.

Who discovered Tantalum?

Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekeberg discovered tantalum in 1802 in Uppsala, in minerals from Sweden and Finland. He named it after Tantalus from Greek mythology, partly because its oxide could not 'drink' acid, just as Tantalus could never drink the water around him.

Where does the name come from?

Tantalum is named after Tantalus, a king in Greek mythology punished by standing in water he could never drink. Anders Gustaf Ekeberg chose the name in 1802 because the element's oxide could not absorb acid even when soaked in it.

Discovery timeline