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Element 73 - Tantalum (Ta) sound

From King Tantalus of Greek myth; discovered 1802. Almost impervious to corrosion, tantalum is vital in surgical repairs of the human body; it can replace bone (for example in skull plates); as foil or wire it connects torn nerves; as woven gaurze it binds up abdominal muscles.

Properties

Atomic Number: 73
Atomic Weight: 180.9479
Electron Configuration (at ground state): 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d104f145s25p65d36s2
Oxidation States (Bold most stable): +5
Boiling Point (K): 5730
Melting Point (K): 3293
Density (at 300K -- g/cm3): 16.65
Atomic Volume (at 300K -- cm3/mol) 10.90
Number of stable isotopes: 2
Mass Number (Bold naturally occurring) -- Half-Life -- Disintigration Type: 182 -- 115.0 days -- beta particle (electron) emission
Covalent Radius (Å): 1.34
Atomic Radius (Å): 1.49
First Ionization Potential (V): 7.89
Electronegativity (Pauling's): 1.5
Specific Heat Capacity (at 300K -- J g-1 K-1): 0.14
Heat of Vaporization (kJ/mol): 737.0
Heat of Fusion (kJ/mol): 36
Electrical Conductivity (at 293K for polycrystalline material -- 106 (ohms)-1 cm-1): 8.1
Thermal Conductivity (at 300K -- W m-1 K-1): 57.5
Crystal Structure: Cubic, body centered
Acid-Base Properties: Slightly acidic