Periodic Table of the Elements
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Bottom FACULTY OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY o PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS Bottom
  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V X Z  
Periodic Table of the Elements Tableau périodique des éléments Periodni sustav elemenata Tavola periodica degli elementi Das Periodensystem der Elemente
Tantalum Tantale Tantal Tantalio Tantal

 
Atomic number: 73
Group numbers: 5
Period: 6
 
Discovery date: 1802
Ta

Tantal
NEIGHBOURS
40
Zr
 41
Nb
 42
Mo
72
Hf
 73
Ta
 74
W
104
Rf
 105
Db
 106
Sg


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Tantalum was discovered by Anders Ekeberg (Sweden) in 1802. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word Tantalos meaning father of Niobe in Greek mythology, (tantalum is closely related to niobium in the periodic table). It is rare, grey, heavy, hard but ductile, metal with a high melting point. Exposed surfaces form corrosion resistant oxide film. Attacked by HF and fused alkalis. Metal ignites in air.
Bottom TRANSITION ELEMENT: VANADIUM GROUP Top

Relative atomic mass: 180.9479(1) Electronic configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Formal oxidation number: +5 Electronegativities: 1.5
Thermal conductivity: 57.5 W m-1 K-1 Electrical resistivity (20 °C): 13.15 μΩcm
Atomic radius: 143 pm Standard state (20 °C): solid
Density (g dm-3): 16654 (293 K)
15000 (m.p.)		 Molar volume (cm3 mol-1): 10.87 (293 K)
12.06 (m.p.)


Bottom THERMAL PROPERTIES Top

Melting point: 3017 °C Heat of fusion: 31.4 kJ mol-1
Boiling point: 5458 °C Heat of vaporization: 758.22 kJ mol-1
Critical temperature: 9977 °C Heat of atomization: 781.425 kJ mol-1


Bottom IONIZATION ENERGIES AND ABUNDANCE Top

1st ionization energy: 728.43 kJ mol-1 Abundance of element (air): - ppm
2nd ionization energy: - kJ mol-1 Abundance of element (Earth's crust): 1 ppm
3rd ionization energy: - kJ mol-1 Abundance of element (oceans): 0.0025 ppm


Bottom ISOTOPES Top

Isotopes Relative atomic mass Abundance (%)
180Ta179.947466(3)0.012(2)
181Ta180.947996(3)99.988(2)


Bottom MINERALS AND USES Top

Tantalum always found with niobium. Chiefly occurs in the mineral tantalite. 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. The price of 99.95 % pure tantalum slug is 184.20 € for 100 g.

Bottom REDUCTION POTENTIALS Top

Balanced half-reaction   Eo / V      Annotation
Ta2O5 + 10H+ + 10e- = 2Ta(s) + 5H2O - 0.81  

 

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