Ta
Tantalum
Atomic number: 73Mass: 180.948 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Tantalum
Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-grey, lustrous transition metal. It is highly corrosion-resistant. Tantalum is chemically inert, making it ideal for surgical and dental implants. Columbite-tantalite ('coltan') ore is a key source.
Properties
Period
6
Group
5
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
1.50 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
761 kJ/mol
Melting Point
3290 K (3017°C)
Boiling Point
5731 K (5458°C)
Density
16.69 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+5
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s²
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s²
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:32e⁻
Shell 5:11e⁻
Shell 6:2e⁻
Real-World Uses
Electronics capacitors (phones)
Surgical implants
Chemical processing equipment
Jet engines
Carbide tools
Fun Fact
Your smartphone likely contains tantalum in its capacitors — 'conflict minerals' from tantalum mining have fuelled wars in the Congo.