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73Ta180.948
Tantalum
Transition MetalTantalum 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.
Phase: SolidAppearance: gray blue
2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2
Physical Properties
Atomic Mass180.947882 u
Density16.69 g/cm³
Melting Point3290 K
Boiling Point5731 K
Molar Heat25.36 J/(mol·K)
Period6
PhaseSolid
Chemical Properties
Electron Configuration1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d3
Semantic Config[Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Shells2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2
Electron Affinity31 kJ/mol
Electronegativity1.5
Ionization Energies
IE1: 761 kJ/molIE2: 1500 kJ/mol
Discovery
Discovered byAnders Gustaf Ekeberg