Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Niobium

Atomic number 41 means that every Niobium nucleus contains 41 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Niobium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 41 means that every Niobium nucleus contains 41 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Niobium.

Niobium (Nb) is chemical element 41. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in superconducting magnets, metallurgy and steel and jewellery.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 41 means that every Niobium nucleus contains 41 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Niobium.

Keep exploring

→ Niobium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

41NbNiobium
Niobium · Nb · Z = 41

Niobium (Nb) is chemical element 41. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Niobium (Nb) is chemical element 41. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in superconducting magnets, metallurgy and steel and jewellery.

What its position in the table tells us

Niobium sits in period 5, group 5 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.