Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Tantalum

Atomic number 73 means that every Tantalum nucleus contains 73 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Tantalum.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 73 means that every Tantalum nucleus contains 73 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Tantalum.

Tantalum (Ta) is chemical element 73. 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 capacitors, implants and superalloys.

See the atom

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

What this number means

Atomic number 73 means that every Tantalum nucleus contains 73 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Tantalum.

Keep exploring

→ Tantalum · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

73TaTantalum
Tantalum · Ta · Z = 73

Tantalum (Ta) is chemical element 73. 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

Tantalum (Ta) is chemical element 73. 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 capacitors, implants and superalloys.

What its position in the table tells us

Tantalum sits in period 6, group 5 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.