Tantalum (Ta)

Tantalum is a chemical element with symbol Ta and atomic number 73. A rare, hard, blue-gray, lustrous transition metal, tantalum is highly corrosion-resistant.

Atomic Number

73

Atomic Mass

180.95 u

Category

transition metal

Phase

solid

Density

16.69 g/cm³

Electron Shells

2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2

Atomic Structure

Protons: 73 • Electrons: 73 • Neutrons: Varies by isotope

Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d³

Discovery

1802 • Anders Gustaf Ekeberg