Tantalum at Chemical Elements.com 

 

Basic Information


Name: Tantalum
Symbol: Ta
Atomic Number: 73
Atomic Mass: 180.9479 amu
Melting Point: 2996.0 °C (3269.15 °K, 5424.8 °F)
Boiling Point: 5425.0 °C (5698.15 °K, 9797.0 °F)
Number of Protons/Electrons: 73
Number of Neutrons: 108
Classification: Transition Metal
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 16.654 g/cm3
Color: gray


Atomic Structure

[Bohr Model of Tantalum]  
Number of Energy Levels: 6

    First Energy Level: 2
    Second Energy Level: 8
    Third Energy Level: 18
    Fourth Energy Level: 32
    Fifth Energy Level: 11
    Sixth Energy Level: 2

Isotopes

Isotope Half Life
Ta-179 1.8 years
Ta-180 1.2E15 years
Ta-181 Stable
Ta-182 114.43 days

Facts


Date of Discovery: 1802
Discoverer: Anders Ekeberg
Name Origin: After king Tantalus (Greek mythology)
Uses: capacitors, camera lenses
Obtained From: tantalite