tantalum

[ tan-tl-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a gray, hard, rare, metallic element occurring in columbite and tantalite and usually associated with niobium: used, because of its resistance to corrosion by most acids, for chemical, dental, and surgical instruments and apparatus. : Ta; : 180.948; : 73; : 16.6.

tantalum

/ ˈtæntələm /

noun

1. a hard greyish-white metallic element that occurs with niobium in tantalite and columbite: used in electrical capacitors in most circuit boards and in alloys to increase hardness and chemical resistance, esp in surgical instruments. Symbol: Ta; atomic no: 73; atomic wt: 180.9479; valency: 2, 3, 4, or 5; relative density: 16.654; melting pt: 3020°C; boiling pt: 5458±100°C

tantalum

/ tăn′tə-ləm /

1. A hard, heavy, gray metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion at low temperatures. It is used to make light-bulb filaments, surgical instruments, and glass for camera lenses. Atomic number 73; atomic weight 180.948; melting point 3,017°C; boiling point 5,458°C; specific gravity 16.6; valence 2, 3, 4, 5.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of tantalum¹

1795–1805; < New Latin; named after Tantalus

Word History and Origins

Origin of tantalum¹

C19: named after Tantalus , with reference to the metal's incapacity to absorb acids

Example Sentences

The raw materials— tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold—were dubbed “conflict minerals.”

From The Daily Beast

In China, for example, tungsten, tantalum, tin and gold are mined and ore is imported from other countries.

From The Daily Beast

Tantalum helps you send text messages, tin is the solder on every circuit board and gold is the little connecting piece.

From The Daily Beast

In 2012, Intel began producing microprocessors with conflict-free tantalum, a sign that conflict-free efforts were progressing.

From The Daily Beast

Tantalum is used to protect interconnects inside microprocessors.

From The Daily Beast

More efficient lamps have been devised with filaments of the metals tantalum and tungsten (Fig. 274).

From Project Gutenberg

The oxide of tantalum dissolves in the bead, but gives no colour.

From Project Gutenberg

Chemically related to vanadium are the two elements tantalum and columbium or niobium.

From Project Gutenberg

How are you going to separate out the tantalum and the others you want from the ones that you don't want?

From Project Gutenberg

I brought along a piece of platinum from the power plant, and something that I think is tantalum from Barkovis' description of it.

From Project Gutenberg