Tantalum (Ta): electron configuration, atomic mass and facts
Tantalum (Ta) is element 73 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 6, group 5. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2, with electrons arranged in shells 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2, and its standard atomic weight is 180.95 u.
▶ Watch Tantalum’s electrons orbit in the interactive periodic tableTantalum at a glance
| Symbol | Ta |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 73 |
| Atomic mass | 180.95 u |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Group | 5 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d3 6s2 |
| Noble-gas shorthand | [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2 |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.5 |
| State at 20 °C | solid |
Where is Tantalum on the periodic table?
Tantalum is in period 6, group 5, in the d-block. The period number matches its 6 electron shells, and the block names the subshell its last electrons fill. In the same group, Niobium sits directly above it and Dubnium sits directly below it. Elements in the same column of the d-block often have similar chemistry.
How to work out the electron configuration of Tantalum
Put 73 electrons into subshells in order of rising energy, filling each before starting the next: 1s² (2), 2s² (4), 2p⁶ (10), 3s² (12), 3p⁶ (18), 4s² (20), 3d¹⁰ (30), 4p⁶ (36), 5s² (38), 4d¹⁰ (48), 5p⁶ (54), 6s² (56), 4f¹⁴ (70), 5d³ (73). In shorthand, [Xe] stands for the 54 electrons of xenon, giving [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s².
How electronegative is Tantalum?
Tantalum has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.5, ranking 55 of the 100 elements with a known value (fluorine is highest at 3.98). That is in the middle of the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the electron configuration of Tantalum?
The electron configuration of Tantalum (Ta) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d3 6s2. In noble-gas shorthand it is written [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2.
How many electrons does Tantalum have in each shell?
Tantalum has 73 electrons arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2.
What is the atomic mass of Tantalum?
The standard atomic weight of Tantalum is 180.95 u, so one mole of Tantalum atoms has a mass of about 180.95 g.
Is Tantalum a metal?
Yes. Tantalum is a transition metal.
Explore nearby elements
More transition metals: Hafnium, Tungsten, Rhenium, Osmium, Iridium, Platinum. See all elements on the periodic table.