4192.906NbNiobium
Niobium (Nb) — element 41transition metal · group 5, period 5
Niobium is a chemical element with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. It is a transition metal in group 5, period 5 of the periodic table (the d-block), with a standard atomic mass of 92.906 u. At room temperature (25 °C) niobium is a solid.
💡 Known for: Used in superconducting magnets for MRI scanners and particle accelerators, and in high-strength steels.
# Niobium properties
| Symbol | Nb |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 41 |
| Atomic mass | 92.906 u |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 5 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d⁴ 5s¹ |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁴ 5s¹ |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 |
| Protons / electrons | 41 / 41 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 2750 K (2476.8 °C, 4490.3 °F) |
| Boiling point | 5017 K (4743.9 °C, 8570.9 °F) |
| Density | 8.57 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.6 |
| First ionization energy | 6.759 eV |
| Atomic radius | 198 pm |
| Discovered | 1801 |
# Electron configuration of niobium
The electron configuration of niobium is [Kr] 4d⁴ 5s¹, written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁴ 5s¹. Its 41 electrons fill 5 shells as 2, 8, 18, 12, 1, so the outermost shell holds 1 electron.
# Related elements
ZrZirconiumprevious elementMoMolybdenumnext elementVVanadiumgroup 5TaTantalumgroup 5DbDubniumgroup 5ScScandiumtransition metalTiTitaniumtransition metalCrChromiumtransition metalMnManganesetransition metalFeIrontransition metalCoCobalttransition metalNiNickeltransition metalCuCoppertransition metal
# Niobium FAQ
What is the atomic number of niobium?
The atomic number of niobium is 41: every niobium atom has 41 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Nb.
What is the atomic mass of niobium?
The standard atomic mass of niobium is 92.906 u.
What is the electron configuration of niobium?
Niobium's electron configuration is [Kr] 4d⁴ 5s¹ (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁴ 5s¹), with 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 electrons per shell.
Is niobium a metal?
Yes. Niobium is a transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of niobium?
Niobium melts at 2750 K (2476.8 °C, 4490.3 °F) and boils at 5017 K (4743.9 °C, 8570.9 °F).
What is niobium used for / known for?
Used in superconducting magnets for MRI scanners and particle accelerators, and in high-strength steels.