Niobium

 


 

Name Niobium
Symbol Nb
Atomic Number 41
Atomic Mass 92.90638 atomic mass units
Number of Protons 41
Number of Neutrons 52
Number of Electrons 41
Melting Point 2468.0° C
Boiling Point 4927.0° C
Density 8.57 grams per cubic centimeter
Normal Phase Solid
Family Transition Metal
Period 5
Cost $75 per pound

 


 

Origin of Name After Niobe, daughter of the mythical king, Tantalus
Date and Place of Discovery In 1801 in America
Discovered by Charles Hatchett
Common Compounds
Interesting facts
  • It was once called columbium.
  • It is found freely in nature in abundance.
  • Tantalum and niobium is found in columbite and tantalite and it is difficult to separate them.
  • It is a rare, soft, malleable, ductile, gray-white metal.
  • It is sometimes confused with tantalum.
  • It reacts easily at high temperatures with oxygen, carbon, most halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur.
  • When processing, it must be kept in a controlled atmosphere.
Common Uses
  • Stainless steel
  • Cutting tools
  • Advanced engineering systems used in the Gemini space program
  • Superconductive magnets
  • Body art (navel rings)
  • Pacemakers
  • Artificial joints
  • Dental implants

 

Photo Courtesy of About.com
Cary Academy
Chemical Elements
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