Atomic / phase data
Reference atomic and phase values are source-reviewed.
Material structure
The ordinary elemental structure is measured; the viewer is a teaching representation.
Element vs material uses
Uses distinguish elemental metal from compounds, alloys, dopants or medical formulations.
Geography
Discovery/supply context is selective and does not fabricate deposits or facilities.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Tantalum (Ta)
Tantalum is element 73, a dense refractory Group 5 metal whose BCC lattice, exceptional corrosion resistance and stable oxide connect the periodic table to compact capacitors, superalloys and specialized medical/material uses.
Tantalum atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Tantalum: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does tantalum have?
Tantalum’s atomic number is 73, so every tantalum atom has 73 protons, and a neutral atom also has 73 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, tantalum-181, has 108 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for tantalum?
The chemical symbol for tantalum is Ta.
Is tantalum a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Tantalum is a solid at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is tantalum in?
Tantalum is a transition metal, in group 5, period 6 of the periodic table.
What is the electron configuration of tantalum?
The ground-state electron configuration of tantalum is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s².
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
73 protons define tantalum.
The ground-state configuration frames atomic and chemical behavior.
Periodic position organizes recurring chemistry and trends.
The teaching nucleus is one isotope, not the relative atomic mass.
Phase claims preserve source-reviewed evidence and allotrope context.
Tantalum in its period and family
Tantalum lies below niobium in Group 5. Its 5d³6s² valence pattern supports dominant +5 chemistry, while the heavy BCC metal is highly refractory and corrosion resistant.
Tantalum Visual Lab
Explore Ta across the teaching nucleus, isolated-atom orbitals, evidence-aware material structure and temperature/evidence views, then connect those models to uses, isotopes, search-led questions and source-backed context.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Tantalum in one minute
Atomic number 73 means 73 protons.
Neutral Tantalum has [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s².
Its representative teaching isotope is ¹⁸¹Ta.
“Tantalum capacitor” does not mean a capacitor is simply a chunk of elemental Ta.
The ordinary material reference is body-centred cubic.
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 8 · 18 · 32 · 11 · 2 electrons
The 5d_z2, 5d_xy, 6s visuals are isolated-atom probability teaching models. They do not depict electron bands, bonding orbitals or the crystal electronic structure of Tantalum materials.
Ordinary tantalum is BCC. The material viewer is a conventional BCC teaching cell; capacitor oxides and tantalum compounds have their own structures.. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
The 5d_z2, 5d_xy, 6s visuals are isolated-atom probability teaching models. They do not depict electron bands, bonding orbitals or the crystal electronic structure of Tantalum materials.
Where do I meet tantalum?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Capacitors
Tantalum metal and its stable oxide enable high-capacitance components in compact electronics.
Refractory metal → oxide dielectric → capacitor
“Tantalum capacitor” does not mean a capacitor is simply a chunk of elemental Ta. Its function depends on engineered tantalum metal and a very thin tantalum-oxide dielectric. Likewise, coltan is an ore/mineral concentrate term, not another name for tantalum.
BCC tantalum
Dense Ta stays solid to a very high temperature.
Tantalum in periodic context
Compare nearby or family-related elements without treating a trend as a substitute for element-specific evidence.
| Group | 5 |
|---|---|
| Period | 4 |
| Group | 5 |
|---|---|
| Period | 5 |
| Group | 5 |
|---|---|
| Period | 6 |
Tantalum properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 73 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 180.948 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s² | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group 5 · Period 6 · d-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 1.5 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁸¹Ta | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Dense blue-gray corrosion-resistant metal | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | 16.4 g/cm³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Material / molecular structure | Body-centred cubic | Ordinary tantalum is BCC. The material viewer is a conventional BCC teaching cell; capacitor oxides and tantalum compounds have their own structures. | Measured |
| Classification | Transition metal | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | Ordinary tantalum is BCC. The material viewer is a conventional BCC teaching cell; capacitor oxides and tantalum compounds have their own structures. | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | 3290 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Boiling / gas reference | 5728 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Phase-path context | At approximately standard pressure, tantalum remains a BCC solid to its very high 3290 K melting point, is liquid to about 5728 K, then gaseous. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary electrical behavior | Metallic conductor | Qualitative bulk behavior; exact resistivity depends on temperature, purity and alloy state. | Measured |
| Conduction model | Collective solid-state electrons | Do not interpret isolated-atom orbital clouds as literal current paths. | Reviewed |
| Surface / compound caveat | Oxides, salts and alloys can behave differently from the pure metal | Material context | Reviewed |
| Engineering values | Condition-dependent | Use condition-specific materials data for engineering calculations. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | +5 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | Ta⁵⁺ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Tantalum lies below niobium in Group 5. Its 5d³6s² valence pattern supports dominant +5 chemistry, while the heavy BCC metal is highly refractory and corrosion resistant. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁸¹Ta | Stable natural isotope | Overwhelmingly dominant natural tantalum isotope. | Evaluated |
| ¹⁸⁰ᵐTa | Extremely rare long-lived metastable isotope | A remarkable naturally occurring nuclear isomer. | Evaluated |
| Natural tantalum | Two-nuclide mixture | Relative atomic mass is dominated by ¹⁸¹Ta. | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁸¹Ta · 73 protons + 108 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
Is Tantalum a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
At approximately standard pressure, tantalum remains a BCC solid to its very high 3290 K melting point, is liquid to about 5728 K, then gaseous.
Where on Earth is Tantalum found or produced?
Who discovered Tantalum, and when?
Anders Gustaf Ekeberg identified tantalum in mineral samples.
Tantalum and niobium were repeatedly confused because of their similar chemistry and shared minerals.
Heinrich Rose clarified the distinction between niobium and tantalum chemistry.
High-purity tantalum and its oxide became important in electronics and corrosion-resistant engineering.
From source material to Tantalum applications: high-level material path
Tantalum-bearing mineral concentrates commonly contain niobium as well and require industrial separation.
Refining produces tantalum compounds/powder/metal under controlled industrial conditions.
Engineered tantalum metal and oxide structures become capacitors, corrosion-resistant equipment or alloy additions.
Recycling from manufacturing scrap and electronics can supplement primary supply; no processing recipe is provided.
What is tantalum used for?
Electronics
Tantalum capacitors use engineered Ta/Ta₂O₅ structures.
Chemical processing
Corrosion-resistant tantalum is used for selected vessels, heat exchangers and linings.
Superalloys
Ta improves high-temperature performance in some nickel-based superalloys.
Medical implants
Tantalum is used in selected orthopedic and dental material systems.
Tantalum isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁸¹Ta
Stable natural isotopeOverwhelmingly dominant natural tantalum isotope.
¹⁸⁰ᵐTa
Extremely rare long-lived metastable isotopeA remarkable naturally occurring nuclear isomer.
Natural tantalum
Two-nuclide mixtureRelative atomic mass is dominated by ¹⁸¹Ta.
Five-question Tantalum check
What is Tantalum’s atomic number?
Which classification best fits Tantalum?
What is the representative teaching isotope?
Which statement respects the material evidence?
Which rule should guide real-world uses?
Tantalum questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
What is tantalum?
Short answer: Tantalum is chemical element 73, a dense refractory Group 5 transition metal.
Atomic number 73 means every tantalum nucleus contains 73 protons. In the periodic table, Tantalum is classified here as a transition metal in Period 6 and Group 5. Tantalum lies below niobium in Group 5. Its 5d³6s² valence pattern supports dominant +5 chemistry, while the heavy BCC metal is highly refractory and corrosion resistant.
Key point: Ta is element 73; its periodic position and electron structure explain the rest of the page.
What is tantalum used for?
Short answer: Important uses include capacitors, corrosion-resistant equipment, superalloys and selected medical implants.
Electronics: Tantalum capacitors use engineered Ta/Ta₂O₅ structures. Chemical processing: Corrosion-resistant tantalum is used for selected vessels, heat exchangers and linings. “Tantalum capacitor” does not mean a capacitor is simply a chunk of elemental Ta. Its function depends on engineered tantalum metal and a very thin tantalum-oxide dielectric. Likewise, coltan is an ore/mineral concentrate term, not another name for tantalum.
Key point: Always distinguish the pure element from the compound, alloy, isotope or device material that actually performs the application.
Is tantalum a metal?
Short answer: Yes. It is a dense, corrosion-resistant transition metal.
This guide classifies Tantalum as a transition metal. Its periodic position is Period 6, d-block, Group 5. Tantalum lies below niobium in Group 5. Its 5d³6s² valence pattern supports dominant +5 chemistry, while the heavy BCC metal is highly refractory and corrosion resistant.
Key point: Periodic-table classification describes recurring atomic/chemical behavior; it does not make every element in a column physically identical.
Where is tantalum found?
Short answer: It occurs in tantalum-bearing minerals, often together with niobium in columbite-tantalite ores.
Tantalum-bearing mineral concentrates commonly contain niobium as well and require industrial separation. The Geography Explorer keeps natural occurrence separate from resources, industrial production and recycling, because those datasets answer different questions about tantalum.
Key point: Natural occurrence, resources, production and recycling are different geography questions.
Is coltan the same as tantalum?
Short answer: No. Coltan is a mineral concentrate term; tantalum is the element Ta.
“Tantalum capacitor” does not mean a capacitor is simply a chunk of elemental Ta. Its function depends on engineered tantalum metal and a very thin tantalum-oxide dielectric. Likewise, coltan is an ore/mineral concentrate term, not another name for tantalum. Electronics Tantalum capacitors use engineered Ta/Ta₂O₅ structures.
Key point: The pure element, its ions, compounds and alloys are different materials and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Is tantalum magnetic?
Short answer: Bulk tantalum is weakly paramagnetic, not a common ferromagnet like iron.
“Tantalum capacitor” does not mean a capacitor is simply a chunk of elemental Ta. Its function depends on engineered tantalum metal and a very thin tantalum-oxide dielectric. Likewise, coltan is an ore/mineral concentrate term, not another name for tantalum. Corrosion resistance Tantalum resists many chemical environments and is used in specialized process equipment.
Key point: The mechanism matters: connect the observed behavior to electron structure, bonding, phase or the specific material form rather than memorizing the result alone.
What is tantalum’s symbol?
Short answer: Ta.
The symbol Ta is the standardized chemical abbreviation for element 73. In a chemical formula, Ta identifies tantalum atoms; a compound containing Ta is not automatically the same material as elemental tantalum.
Key point: Ta always identifies element 73.
Scientific sources for Tantalum
- Royal Society of Chemistry - Tantalum
- NIST - Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions
- USGS - Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
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