A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

88

Transition Metals

Ta

73

Tantalum is a hard metal named after

Tantalus, a man from Greek mythology

who was punished by the gods. It is

extracted from a rare mineral called tantalite.

This tough metal is not harmful to the human

body, so it is used to make artificial joints and

other body implants. Tantalum powder is used

in capacitors – devices used in electronic circuits

to store electricity. This strong metal toughens

watches made of softer, precious metals.

Tantalum is also used to create strong turbine

blades that do not corrode.

73 73 108

State: Solid

Discovery: 1802

Forms Uses

Tantalum

The pure metal barely reacts

with air, so stays shiny.

Tantalum capacitors are

used to store a lot of electric

charge in small circuits, such as

the ones inside mobile phones.

The tantalum

shell of this

hip implant

is lightweight

and flexible.

The case and

strap of this

watch are made

of an alloy of

tantalum, gold,

and copper.

The mineral

has a dark,

waxy surface.

Tantalite

Rods of pure tantalum

refined in a laboratory

Electronic

capacitor

A

tr

if

ic

ia

l^ j

oi

These yellow nt

cr ystals contain the

mineral stibiotantalite.

M

et

a

ll

ic

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at
ch
088-089_Tantalum_Tungsten.indd 88 02/12/16 10:00 pm