41 - Niobium transition metal
Discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801
Niobium, formerly columbium, is a chemical element with symbol Nb (formerly Cb) and atomic number 41. It is a soft, grey, ductile transition metal, which is often found in the pyrochlore mineral, the main commercial source for niobium, and columbite. The name comes from Greek mythology:Niobe, daughter of Tantalus since it is so similar to tantalum.
H He Li Be B C N O F Ne Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe Cs Ba La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn Fr Ra Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
57-71 La-Lu Lanthanides
89-103 Ac-Lr Actinides
| Shell | Electrons | Orbitals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 in 1s |
| 2 | 8 | 2 in 2s + 6 in 2p |
| 3 | 18 | 2 in 3s + 6 in 3p + 10 in 3d |
| 4 | 12 | 2 in 4s + 6 in 4p + 4 in 4d |
| 5 | 1 | 1 in 5s |
92.9 u Atomic Mass
2.1 Å Atomic Radius
5.02k K Boiling Point
1.64 Å Covalent Radius
8.57 g/cm³ Density
88.5 Electron Affinity
1.6 Electronegativity
6.76 eV First Ionization Energy
2.74k K Melting Point
5 Number of Shells
41 Atomic Number
2, 8, 18, 12, 1 Electron Shell Occupations