Tantalum Chemical Properties (24 Facts You Should Know)

Tantalum is the chemical elements present in the modern periodic table. In this editorial, we are discussing the chemical properties of the tantalum element.

Tantalum is a metal element. It is used in the manufacturing of electrolytic capacitors and the production of corrosion-resistant chemical equipment. It is quite expensive due to very less refineries for the tantalum process. The inhalation of tantalum elements is quite toxic for human beings.

On this platform, we are discussing atomic weight, atomic number, electronegativity, symbol, and many more chemical properties of the Tantalum element with various facts about it.

Tantalum symbol

The notation of an element or atom within one or two alphabetic words is the symbol of that element or atom. Let us see what the symbol is for Tantalum.

The symbol for the Tantalum element is ‘Ta’.

Ta 1
Tantalum element

Tantalum group in the periodic table

The columns drawn vertically in the periodic table are called groups. Let us see the group position of the Tantalum element.

The Tantalum is present in the 5th group of the periodic table. 5th group is also represented as group VB.

Tantalum period in the periodic table

The rows drawn horizontally in the periodic table are called periods. Let us see the period of the tantalum element in the periodic table.

The Tantalum element is placed in the 6th period of the periodic table.

Tantalum block in the periodic table

The sections in the periodic table in which the set of elements get the same properties are called blocks of the periodic table. Just see below to which block tantalum belongs.

The element tantalum belongs to the d-block element of the periodic table.

Tantalum atomic number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is the atomic number (Z). It is also known as a nuclear charge. Let us see what the atomic number of Tantalum is.

The atomic number of the Tantalum element is 73 i.e. 73 protons are present inside the nucleus of the Tantalum element.

Tantalum atomic Weight

The usual ratio of atoms present in an element is known as atomic weight or molecular weight. Below we are discussing the atomic weight of Tantalum.

The Tantalum has an atomic weight of 180.94788 u.

Tantalum Electronegativity according to Pauling

The efficiency of an atom to attract the bonding electron pairs of other atoms is called its electronegativity. Let us see what the electronegativity value Tantalum has.

The electronegativity value for the Tantalum is 1.4 as per the Linus Pauling electronegativity scale.

Tantalum atomic Density

The number of atoms presents per unit volume of an element is called the atomic density of that element. Here we are discussing the atomic density of Tantalum.

The atomic density of Tantalum is 16.6 mg / m3.

Tantalum melting point

The substance gets melted at a specific temperature called its melting point. Let us see at what temperature the tantalum element gets melted.

The Tantalum element has a melting point value of 3017 degree Celsius i.e. 3290 K or 5463 degrees faraday.

Tantalum boiling point

The liquid substance starts to boil at a specific temperature called its boiling point. Take a look on what is the boiling point of the Tantalum element.

The Tantalum element has a boiling point value of 5458 degrees Celsius i.e. 5731 K or 9856 degrees faraday.

Tantalum VanderWaals radius

The distance of nuclei of 2 atoms of an element held together by Vander Waals force of attraction is called Vander Waals radius. See the Vander Waals radius of Tantalum.

The Vander Waals radius for the atoms of the Tantalum element is 220 pm.

Tantalum ionic radius

The ionic radius of an ion is the distance between the ionic nucleus and its valence shell electrons of the last orbital. Let us see what the ionic radius Tantalum ion has.

The Tantalum ion has an ionic radius of 0.64 Å (Armstrong unit).

Tantalum isotopes

The atoms of the same elements containing an equal number of protons but an unequal number of neutrons are known as isotopes. Let us see how many isotopes Tantalum has.

Tantalum element has about 35 radioactive isotopes. 73Ta is a natural Tantalum element or is considered an isotope. Some of the isotopes of Tantalum elements are listed and explained below:

Isotopes of TantalumCharacters
Tantalum – 181 (181Ta)Most stable isotope of Tantalum
Tantalum – 180 (180Ta):Most stable isotope of Tantalum.
Tantalum – 179 (179Ta):Long-lived isotope of Tantalum with a half-life period
Tantalum – 182 (182Ta):Isotope with 114.43 days half-life period of Tantalum.
Tantalum – 183 (183Ta):Isotope with 5.1 days half-life period of Tantalum.
Tantalum – 177 (177Ta):Isotope with 56.56 hours half-life period of Tantalum
Tantalum – 178 (178Ta):Isotope with 2.36 hours half-life period of Tantalum
The isotopes of the tantalum element

Tantalum electronic shell

The outer part of an atom around its nucleus in which the electrons get rotated is called the electronic shell. Let us see the electronic shell of the Tantalum element.

The electronic shell or orbits of the Tantalum atom is 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2.

Tantalum energy of first ionization

The prerequisite energy to eradicate the high-energy electron of a neutral molecule is called the 1st ionization energy. See the 1st ionization energy of the Tantalum atom.

The energy of the first ionization of the Tantalum atom is 728.42 kJ / mol.

Tantalum energy of second ionization

The prerequisite energy to remove the electron from +1 ion (2nd electron) is called the 2nd ionization energy. Let us see the 2nd ionization energy of the Tantalum atom.

The energy of the second ionization of the Tantalum atom is 1560 kJ / mol.

Tantalum energy of third ionization

The prerequisite energy to remove the electron from +2 ions (3rd electron) is called the 3rd ionization energy. Let us see the 3rd ionization energy of the Tantalum atom.

The energy of the third ionization of the Tantalum atom is 2230.01 kJ / mol.

Tantalum oxidation states

The atom loses or gains its electron to form a bond and has a positive or negative charge called its oxidation state or number. See below the oxidations states Tantalum.

The Tantalum atom shows oxidation states of +2, +3, +4, +5, etc.

Tantalum electron configurations

The electron distribution in the orbital of an atom around its nucleus is called its electronic configuration. Let us see what the electronic configuration of Tantalum is.

The electronic configuration of the Tantalum element is:                      

  • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d3 6s2 or
  • [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2

Tantalum CAS number

A registered unique identification number for a chemical assigned by the U. S. Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) is the CAS number. Let us see the CAS number for tantalum.

The CAS number of Tantalum is 7440-25-7.

Tantalum ChemSpider ID

A registered unique identification number for a chemical assigned by the U. S. Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) is the CAS number. Let us see the CAS number for tantalum.

The ChemSpider ID of the Tantalum element is 22395.

Tantalum chemical classification

The elements are classified in the periodic table as per their chemical properties. Let us see below which class of element tantalum gets classified as a chemical element.

The tantalum element is classified as a transition element and comes under d-block elements.

Tantalum state at room temperature

The chemical compounds show their state of matter like solid, liquid, or gas in which they belong at room temperature. Let us see the state of tantalum at room temperature.

Tantalum is a solid metallic element at room temperature.

Is tantalum paramagnetic?

Paramagnetic elements are those which contain unpaired electrons and are attracted to the magnetic fields. Let us see whether Tantalum is paramagnetic or not.

Tantalum is a paramagnetic element. It contains one unpaired electron in its outer shell orbital. On application of an external magnetic field, it attracts toward the magnetic field.

Conclusion:

Tantalum is a solid metallic element present in the 5th group and period 6th of the periodic table. It has symbol Ta and configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2. It has atomic number 73 and 180.1 u atomic weight. It has an electronegative value of 1.4. It has a density of 16.6 mg / m3. It is paramagnetic in nature.