Tantalum

Located in Group 5 and Period 6 is the element that is Third Highest Melting Point in the Periodic Table ( First and Second is Tungsten and Rhenium respectively ). This is Tantalum.

First discovered in 1802 by Anders Gustaf Ekenberg and first isolated by a Swish Chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1866.

Anders Gustaf Ekenberg

In 1801, Niobium is discovered Charles Hatchett. In the following year, in 1802, Ander Gustaf Ekenberg discovered Tantalum.

Jeans Charles

However, most chemists thought that the two chemists discovered two same elements. Chemists cannot see the difference between Niobium and Tantalum. Most chemist thought that Ander Gustaf just discover a new allotrope of Niobium. So, the discovery made by Ander was though to be another allotrope of Niobium.

The issue of discovery of Niobium between Tantalum was only solved by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1866. Charles proved that Tantalum and Niobium was two different elements. There is also a prove made by German Scientist Heinrich Rose where he found that Tantalic Acid ( H₃ TaO₄ ) made from Tantalum and Niobium Acid ( H₃ NbO₄ ) made from Niobium is different. This two proves of Niobium and Tantalum proved that both Charles Hatchett ( discoverer of Niobium ) and Anders Gustaf Ekenberg ( discoverer of Tantalum ) did really discovered two different elements. 

Tantalum is quite a rare material. More common than Tungsten but more rare than Arsenic. You can find Tantalum in 1.7 parts per million in the Earth's Crust. Tantalum is mainly found in ores such as Columbite, Tantalite and Microlite. These ores/ minerals that contain Tantalum always contain Niobium.

Tantalite

Most Tantalum is mined in North America, Australia, Germany, Brazil and even Thailand. Some mine in North America is located at Bernic Lake, located in the Province of Manitoba, Canada.

Now, Tantalum is extracted from this minerals/ ores by passing an electric current through it.

Tantalum Mining

Tantalum is not so dangerous. However, exposure to skin, consuming and inhalation may cause respiratory problems, skin irritation and eyes irritation. It's compound, Tantalum Pentoxide can cause explosion and fire.

Atomic Number : 73
Name : Tantalum
Latin Name : Tantalum
Electrons per Shell : [ 2, 8, 18, 32, 11, 2 ]
Discoverer : Anders Gustaf Ekenberg ( 1802 )
Isolator : Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac ( 1866 )
Element's : Atomic Mass : 180.95
                  : Density : 16.65 g/cm³
                  : Type : Transition Metal
Chemical Properties :

Tantalum - 181

• one of the Most Nonreactive element
• reacts with Fluorine
• resist corrosion
• resist most acids
• 75 isotopes : 3 of them are :
    Tantalum - 180 : Protons : 73
                             : Neutrons : 107
                             : Electrons : 73
   ( Half Life : 8.125 hours )
  
    Tantalum - 181 : Protons : 73
                             : Neutrons : 108
                             : Electrons : 73
   ( Half Life : Observationally Stable )
  
    Tantalum - 182 : Protons : 73
                             : Neutrons : 109
                             : Electrons : 73
   ( Half Life : 114.43 days )

Physical Properties : 

• Hard
• Blue - Gray ( Unpolished )
• Bright Silvery Color ( Polished )
• Malleable
• Ductile
• Melting Point : 2996 degrees Celsius ( 5425 Fahrenheit )
• Boiling Point : 5429 degrees Celsius ( 9804 Fahrenheit )

How Tantalum got its name?

Tantalum got its name from the Greek Mythical Gods named Tantalus. Tantalus is the Father of Niobe. According to the Greek Story, Tantalus was punished by his father Zeus by standing in a vat filled with water up to his chin. So, whenever Tantalus wanted to bent down to drink, the water dropped a bit lower so he could never get the drink. Not very nice.

Tantalus and Water and Fruits

Ekeberg described that Tantalum was just like Tantalus. When Tantalum was placed in acid, Tantalum doesn't react with the acid.

Uses

Tantalum has many uses in medical. Such as, making capacitors. A capacitor is a device similar to battery.When it is given an electric charge, a capacitor stores the electric charge until needed. Tantalum is the best element for Tantalum. Some capacitors is used in military weapon systems, aircraft, space vehicles, communication systems, computers and even medical applications. For example, hearing aids are most likely to contain a Tantalum Capacitor.

Tantalum Capacitor

Tantalum is also used in many alloys.for laboratory equipment, weights for very precise balances, fountain and ball point pens and tools that have to operate in very high speed and temperatures.

Tantalum alloys is also used in medical and dental applications. Because the metal's alloys almost has no effect on bodies, so, Tantalum alloys is used to make artificial hips, knees and other joints. Pins, screws, staples and other devices is used to hold bones together are also made of Tantalum Alloys.

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