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Tantalum (Ta)
Element with atomic number 73, category: Transition metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 73 of 118
Transition metal
Tantalum
Group 5, Period 6
Common Uses
Mobile phone capacitors
Electron Diagram
About Tantalum
Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73, meaning every atom has 73 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Transition metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 180.948 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Tantalum sits in group 5, period 6, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Tantalum
In daily life and industry, Tantalum is used for Mobile phone capacitors. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Transition metal category.
Electron Structure of Tantalum
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Tantalum has 5 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 32, 13 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.