Tantalum - ASCII Periodic Table of the Elements

ASCII PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS

  Ta

Relative atomic mass: 180.94788 +- 0.00002

English: Tantalum
French: Tantale
Croatian: Tantal
German: Tantal
Italian: Tantalio
Spanish: Tantalo

Atomic number: 73
Group numbers: 5
Period: 6
Standard state (20 ^oC): solid

Discovery: 1802 Anders Gustaf Ekeberg (SE)

Tantalum was discovered by Anders Gustaf Ekeberg (SE) in 1802. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word Tantalos meaning father of Niobe in Greek mythology, (tantalum is closely related to niobium in the periodic table). It is a rare, grey, heavy, hard but ductile, metal with a high melting point that reacts with HF and fused alkalis. Metal ignites in air and exposed surfaces form corrosion resistant oxide film. Tantalum is always found with niobium but occurs chiefly in the mineral tantalite. It is often used as an economical substitute for platinum. Tantalum pentoxide is used in capacitors and in camera lenses to increase refracting power. It and its alloys are corrosion and wear resistant so it is used to make surgical and dental tools. The price of 99.95 % pure tantalum slug is 184.20 € for 100 g.

Electronic configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s²
Formal oxidation number: +5
Atomic radius: 143 pm

Electronegativities: 1.5
Thermal conductivity: 57.5 W/(m K)
Electrical resistivity (20 ^oC): 13.15 microOhm cm

Melting point: 3017 ^oC
Boiling point: 5458 ^oC

Heat of fusion: 31.4 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization: 758.22 kJ/mol
Heat of atomization: 781.425 kJ/mol