73 Ta 180.948

Tantalum

transition metal

Properties

Atomic number
73
Atomic mass
180.948 u
Category
transition metal
Group
5
Period
6
Block
d-block
State (room temp)
Solid
Outer-shell electrons
2
Electronegativity
1.5 (Pauling)
Density
16.69 g/cm³
Melting point
3016.85 °C
Boiling point
5457.85 °C

Electron configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d³

Noble-gas shorthand: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s²

Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2, which is 2 in the outermost shell.

Related: electron configuration, the Bohr model, valence electrons.

Ta
Bohr model; outer-shell electrons in blue

About Tantalum

Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73. Previously known as tantalium, its name comes from Tantalus, an antihero from Greek mythology. Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-gray, lustrous transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant.

Tantalum: frequently asked questions

What is Tantalum?
Tantalum (Ta) is the chemical element with atomic number 73. It is a metal: specifically a transition metal.
What is the atomic number of Tantalum?
Tantalum's atomic number is 73, which means every Tantalum atom has 73 protons in its nucleus.
What is the electron configuration of Tantalum?
The electron configuration of Tantalum is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d3 (noble-gas shorthand: [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2). Its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2, with 2 in the outermost shell.
Is Tantalum a metal or a nonmetal?
Tantalum is a metal: specifically a transition metal.
What group and period is Tantalum in?
Tantalum is in group 5 and period 6 of the periodic table.
Is Tantalum a solid, liquid, or gas?
At room temperature, Tantalum is a solid.

Position in the periodic table

Open the interactive periodic table →

Data compiled from Wikipedia, PubChem, and IUPAC. Source.