Nb
Niobium
Atomic number: 41Mass: 92.906 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Niobium
Niobium is a light grey, crystalline, and ductile transition metal. It becomes a superconductor at low temperatures. Adding niobium to steel produces high-strength alloys used in pipelines and automotive applications.
Properties
Period
5
Group
5
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
1.60 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
652.1 kJ/mol
Melting Point
2750 K (2477°C)
Boiling Point
5017 K (4744°C)
Density
8.57 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+3, +5
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁴ 5s¹
[Kr] 4d⁴ 5s¹
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:12e⁻
Shell 5:1e⁻
Real-World Uses
High-strength steel
Superconducting magnets
Jet engines
MRI magnets
Jewellery
Fun Fact
Niobium turns beautiful colours — gold, blue, green, purple — when anodized, which is why it's used in jewellery and art!