Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ta |
| Atomic Number | 73 |
| Atomic Mass | 180.95 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 5 |
| Block | d |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s² |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| State at 20°C | Solid |
| Density | 16.69 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 3017°C (3290 K) |
| Boiling Point | 5458°C (5731 K) |
| Appearance | Gray-blue, hard metal |
History and Discovery
Discovered by: Anders Gustaf Ekeberg Year of Discovery: 1802 Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Etymology
Named after Tantalus, the Greek mythological figure, because of difficulty dissolving it in acid.
Applications and Uses
- Capacitors (smartphones, computers)—main use
- Surgical implants (highly biocompatible)
- Jet engine components
- Chemical process equipment
- High-temperature applications
Conflict Minerals
Tantalum is a "conflict mineral"—mining in Central Africa has funded armed conflicts.
Interesting Facts
- Fourth-highest melting point of all elements
- Highly resistant to corrosion—even aqua regia barely affects it
- Found in every smartphone and laptop
- Named for its "tantalizingly" difficult solubility
- Highly biocompatible for medical implants