Tantalum Electron Configuration
Orbital diagram
- Valence electrons
- 5
- Unpaired electrons
- 3
- Block
- d-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- paramagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|---|
| L (n = 2) | 8 |
| M (n = 3) | 18 |
| N (n = 4) | 32 |
| O (n = 5) | 11 |
| P (n = 6) | 2 |
Tantalum ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Ta5+ | 68 | [Xe] 4f14 |
How to write it
Place 73 electrons into subshells in the Aufbau order (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p), filling s with 2, p with 6, d with 10 and f with 14. Tantalum sits in period 6, group 5, in the d-block, so its last electron enters a d subshell. Replacing the inner electrons with the previous noble gas gives the shorthand [Xe] 4f14 5d3 6s2.
Try tantalum and its ions in the calculator, or see the full tantalum data sheet.
Tantalum electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of tantalum?
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s². Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s².
What is the noble gas configuration of tantalum?
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s². The bracket stands for the Xe core electrons.
How many valence electrons does tantalum have?
5 (2 outer s + 3 d electrons; 2 in the outermost shell).
How many unpaired electrons does tantalum have?
3 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. An atom with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of Ta5+?
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ (68 electrons). Transition metal cations lose their outer s electrons before d electrons.