73180.95TaTantalum
Tantalum (Ta) — element 73transition metal · group 5, period 6
Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. It is a transition metal in group 5, period 6 of the periodic table (the d-block), with a standard atomic mass of 180.95 u. At room temperature (25 °C) tantalum is a solid.
💡 Known for: Tantalum capacitors are found in phones and laptops; the metal is also highly compatible with the human body.
# Tantalum properties
| Symbol | Ta |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 73 |
| Atomic mass | 180.95 u |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 5 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2 |
| Protons / electrons | 73 / 73 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 3290 K (3016.8 °C, 5462.3 °F) |
| Boiling point | 5731 K (5457.9 °C, 9856.1 °F) |
| Density | 16.65 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.5 |
| First ionization energy | 7.55 eV |
| Atomic radius | 200 pm |
| Discovered | 1802 |
# Electron configuration of tantalum
The electron configuration of tantalum is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s². Its 73 electrons fill 6 shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2, so the outermost shell holds 2 electrons.
# Related elements
HfHafniumprevious elementWTungstennext elementVVanadiumgroup 5NbNiobiumgroup 5DbDubniumgroup 5ScScandiumtransition metalTiTitaniumtransition metalCrChromiumtransition metalMnManganesetransition metalFeIrontransition metalCoCobalttransition metalNiNickeltransition metalCuCoppertransition metal
# Tantalum FAQ
What is the atomic number of tantalum?
The atomic number of tantalum is 73: every tantalum atom has 73 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Ta.
What is the atomic mass of tantalum?
The standard atomic mass of tantalum is 180.95 u.
What is the electron configuration of tantalum?
Tantalum's electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s² (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s²), with 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2 electrons per shell.
Is tantalum a metal?
Yes. Tantalum is a transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of tantalum?
Tantalum melts at 3290 K (3016.8 °C, 5462.3 °F) and boils at 5731 K (5457.9 °C, 9856.1 °F).
What is tantalum used for / known for?
Tantalum capacitors are found in phones and laptops; the metal is also highly compatible with the human body.