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Origin / Meaning of the name Tantalum
The name originates from King Tantalus, the father of Niobe, in
Greek mythology. Tantalus was banished to Hades where he was
placed up to his chin in water, which receded whenever he tried
to drink it and under branches of fruit, which drew back
whenever he tried to pick their fruit. This name was selected
because of the insoluability of tantalum in acids, thus when
placed in the midst of acids it is incapable of taking any of
them up.
Periodic Table Group and Classification of the of the Tantalum Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Tantalum
is
classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 -
12 of the Periodic Table. Elements classified as
Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.Nearly 75%
of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as
metals which are detailed in the
List of Metals.
Facts about the History
and the
Discovery of the Tantalum
Element
Tantalum was discovered by
Anders Ekeberg
in 1802. The element was isolated in 1820 by Jons Berzelius. The
first relatively pure ductile metal was produced in 1903 by
Werner von Bolton.
History of the Periodic Table
Check out the brief
History of the
Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous
scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of
the Periodic Table.
Occurrence of the Tantalum Element
Obtained from the minerals tantalite, euxenite, samarskite, and
fergusonite
Mined in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Africa, Portugal, and
Thailand.
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe
8×10-9%
% in Sun N/A
% in Meteorites 2×10-6%
% in Earth's Crust 0.00017%
% in Oceans 2×10-10%
% in Humans N/A
Associated Uses of Tantalum
Electronic components - Capacitors
Automotive electronics
Jet engine components
Chemical process equipment
Nuclear reactors
Camera lenses
Portable telephones
Pagers
Personal computers
Surgical appliances
Tantalum pentachloride |
