73Ta180.95
Tantalum
Transition metal · element 73 · group 5, period 6
Quick facts
| Symbol | Ta |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 73 |
| Relative atomic mass | 180.95 |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Position | group 5, period 6 |
| State at 20 °C | Solid |
| Melting point | 3,017 °C |
| Boiling point | 5,458 °C |
| Density | 16.69 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity | 1.5 |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2 |
About Tantalum
Tantalum has the symbol Ta and atomic number 73, which means every tantalum atom has 73 protons in its nucleus and, in a neutral atom, 73 electrons. At room temperature it is a solid.
Transition metals sit in the middle block of the periodic table. They are usually hard, dense and strong, often form coloured compounds, can have more than one ion charge, and many are useful catalysts.
It melts at 3,017 °C and boils at 5,458 °C.
Explore it
See where tantalum sits, and drag the temperature slider to watch it melt and boil, on the interactive periodic table. Practise with quizzes on OmniEx.