Element 73
Tantalum
Transition metals
Tantalum (Ta) is in the d-block of the periodic table — group 5, period 6.
Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 73
- Atomic mass
- 180.948 u
- Group / Period
- 5 / 6
- Block
- d-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 16.69 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 3016.8 °C
- Boiling point
- 5457.9 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Periodic table block
Tantalum is in the d-block (group 5, period 6). Elements land in the d-block when their highest-energy electrons fill a d subshell — these are the transition metals in the middle of the table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Capacitors in phones
- •Surgical implants
- •High-temperature alloys
Discovery
Year: 1802
Discovered by: Anders Gustaf Ekeberg
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Tantalum?
Tantalum has atomic number 73. Its symbol is Ta and its atomic mass is 180.948 u.
What category of element is Tantalum?
Tantalum is classified as transition metals. It sits in group 5, period 6 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Tantalum in?
Tantalum is in the d-block (group 5, period 6). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the d subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2.
What is Tantalum used for?
Common uses of Tantalum include: Capacitors in phones, Surgical implants, High-temperature alloys.
When was Tantalum discovered?
Tantalum was discovered in 1802 by Anders Gustaf Ekeberg.
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