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Tantalum

Metalsolid
Symbol: Ta
Atomic number: 73
Atomic mass: 180.9479
Group: Transition Metal
CAS-number: 7440-25-7

Physical data
Isotopes
Other info
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Physical data

Electronic data

Shells: 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2
Orbitals: [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Electronegativity: 1.5, 1.3
1. Ionization potential: 7.89 eV
2. Ionization potential: -- eV
3. Ionization potential: -- eV
Oxidation states: 5
Electrical conductivity: 0.0761 10^6

Thermal data

Melting point: 2996 °C
Boiling point: 5425 °C ±100
Specific heat: 0.14 J/gK
Heat of fusion: 31.60 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization: 743.0 kJ/mol
Thermal conductivity: 0.575 W/cmK

Steric data

Atomic radius: 2.09 Å
Ionic radius: 0.64 Å (+5)
Covalent radius: 1.34 Å
Atomic volume: 10.90 cm³/mol
Density (293 K): 16.6 g/cm³
Crystal structure: cubic body centered
cubic body centered

Isotopes

NuclideAbundance [%]MassSpinHalflifeDecay modeDecay tree
179Ta 0 179 7/2 1.8y EC View
180Ta 0.012 179.948 9 >1.2E15y EC, β+ View
181Ta 99.988 180.948 7/2 -- --
182Ta 0 182 3 114.43d β- View

Other info

Name origin:From king Tantalus of Greek mythology, father of Niobe.
Description:Rare, gray, heavy, hard but ductile, metal with a high melting point.
Discovered by:Anders Ekeberg
Year:1802
Place:Sweden
Sources:Chiefly occurs in the mineral tantalite. Always found with niobium.
Use(s):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.