Tantalum
Definition and meaning of Tantalum in chemistry.
Tantalum is a chemical element with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. It is a rare, hard, blue-gray transition metal highly valued across modern industries for its extreme resistance to chemical degradation.
In more detail
Tantalum is widely categorized as a refractory metal, heavily characterized by an exceedingly high melting point that is exceeded by only a few other elements, including tungsten and carbon. It is primarily extracted from complex oxide minerals such as tantalite and columbite, where it is frequently found alongside niobium, an element that shares very similar chemical and physical characteristics. The pure metal is entirely immune to the destructive action of aqua regia and most other strong, concentrated acids at ambient temperatures below 150 °C, thanks to a deeply tenacious passive oxide film. Located in group 5 of the periodic table, tantalum commonly adopts a +5 oxidation state in its most thermodynamically stable compounds, most notably tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5). Its remarkable biological inertness and excellent biocompatibility allow it to be permanently implanted within the human body without triggering any adverse immune system reactions or tissue rejection.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ta |
| Atomic number | 73 |
| Atomic mass | 180.95 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| State at room temperature | Solid |
| Melting point | 3017 °C |
| Discovered by | Anders Gustaf Ekeberg |
| Discovery year | 1802 |
Tantalum is predominantly consumed by the electronics industry to manufacture high-capacitance electrolytic capacitors, which are critical space-saving components found in mobile phones, personal computers, and modern automotive electronics.
Frequently asked questions
Why is tantalum frequently classified as a conflict mineral?
Tantalum ores are occasionally mined in regions experiencing severe armed conflict, where the unregulated extraction and sale of the mineral have historically funded local violence and widespread human rights abuses.
How exactly is tantalum utilized within the field of modern medicine?
Because the metal is highly inert and completely non-irritating to living tissue, it is frequently used to manufacture surgical sutures, cranial bone implants, and structural prosthetic joints.