Atomic number 73
Tantalum
Transition metal
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 180.95
- Group
- 5
- Period
- 6
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 1.50
- Common ox. states
- +5
Properties
Electron configuration
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s²
- Ionization energy
- 761.0 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 31.0 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 3290.00 K (3016.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 5731.00 K (5457.9 °C)
How it bonds
Tantalum almost always shows +5 (Ta₂O₅). Extreme corrosion resistance and biocompatibility — used in surgical implants. Most of the world's tantalum capacitors are inside the phone in your pocket.