Tantalum (Ta) - Element 73 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Tantalum?
Tantalum (Ta) is element 73, a transition metal in period 6, group 5. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s².
| Atomic Number | 73 |
| Symbol | Ta |
| Atomic Mass | 180.95 u |
| Category | Transition Metal |
| Period | 6 |
| Group | 5 |
| Block | d |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s² |
| Short Config | [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s² |
| Electronegativity | 1.5 |
| Atomic Radius | 145 pm |
| Ionization Energy | 761 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 31 kJ/mol |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Tantalum is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d³ 6s². In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s².
Tantalum is a d-block element in group 5, period 6.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Tantalum has a Pauling electronegativity of 1.5. Within group 5, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.
Atomic Radius: 145 pm. Across period 6, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.
Ionization Energy: 761 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Tantalum on the Interactive Periodic TableRelated Topics
Vanadium (V)
Properties of Vanadium - same group as Tantalum
Niobium (Nb)
Properties of Niobium - same group as Tantalum
Dubnium (Db)
Properties of Dubnium - same group as Tantalum
Cesium (Cs)
Properties of Cesium - same period as Tantalum
Barium (Ba)
Properties of Barium - same period as Tantalum
Lanthanum (La)
Properties of Lanthanum - same period as Tantalum