Tantalum

Symbol: Ta

Atomic Number: 73

Atomic Weight: 180.948

Tantalum (atomic number 73, symbol Ta) is a hard, heavy metal that is grayish silver in color. The element was discovered by the Swedish chemist Anders Ekeberg in 1802 while Christian Blomstrand proved that niobium and tantalum are different elements in 1864.

Properties, Isotopes, and Occurrence

This element is a transition metal with a body-centered cubic structure. It has good electrical and heat conductivity and is hard, ductile, and dense. It has a boiling point of 6,000 C (10,832 F) and a melting point of 2,850 C (5,162 F). Its melting point is high but lower than that of...Read More