Yes. Tantalum is a metal, classified as a transition metal on the periodic table.

How many protons does tantalum have?

Tantalum has 73 protons. Its atomic number is 73, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of tantalum.

What group and period is tantalum in?

Tantalum is in group 5 and period 6 of the periodic table, in the d-block.

What is the atomic mass of tantalum?

The atomic mass of tantalum is 180.95 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 73

Tantalum (Ta)

Transition metal · Period 6 · Group 5 · d-block

Tantalum (Ta) is element 73 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 5 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 180.95 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 73
Symbol: Ta
Atomic mass: 180.95 u
Category: Transition metals
Period: 6
Group: 5
Block: d-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d3 6s2
Shorthand configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2
Oxidation states: -3, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5

Physical properties

Melting point: 3,290 K (3,016.85 °C)
Boiling point: 5,731 K (5,457.85 °C)
Density: 16.654 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.5
Atomic radius: 200 pm
Covalent radius: 170 pm
First ionization energy: 761 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 31 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Tantalum: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Ta-181	180.948	99.99%	Stable

Common uses

Capacitors
Surgical instruments
Jet engines
Electronics

Discovery

Year: 1802
Discovered by: Anders Gustaf Ekeberg
Country: Sweden

Frequently asked questions

Is tantalum a metal?: Yes. Tantalum is a metal, classified as a transition metal on the periodic table.
How many protons does tantalum have?: Tantalum has 73 protons. Its atomic number is 73, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of tantalum.
What group and period is tantalum in?: Tantalum is in group 5 and period 6 of the periodic table, in the d-block.
What is the atomic mass of tantalum?: The atomic mass of tantalum is 180.95 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Tantalum's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.