tantalum

tan·ta·lum   (tān'tə-ləm)    n.   Symbol Ta A very hard, heavy, gray metallic element that is exceptionally resistant to chemical attack below 150°C. It is used to make light-bulb filaments, electrolytic capacitors, lightning arresters, nuclear reactor parts, and some surgical instruments. Atomic number 73; atomic weight 180.948; melting point 2,996°C; boiling point 5,425°C; specific gravity 16.6; valence 2, 3, 4, 5. See Table at element. [New Latin, from Latin Tantalus, Tantalus (from its high resistance to absorbing acids even when immersed in them); see Tantalus.]

Main Entry: tan·ta·lum
Pronunciation: 'tant-^&l-&m
Function: noun
: a hard ductile gray-white acid-resisting metallic elementof the vanadium family found combined in rare minerals and sometimes used in surgical implants and sutures —symbol Ta; —see ELEMENT table

tantalum tan·ta·lum (tān'tə-ləm)
n.
Symbol Ta
A hard heavy metallic element that is exceptionally resistant to chemical attack below 150°C and is used to make electronic components and surgical instruments. Atomic number 73; atomic weight 180.948; melting point 3,017°C; boiling point 5,458°C; specific gravity 16.7; valence 2, 3, 4, 5.

tantalum   (tān'tə-ləm)  Pronunciation Key  Symbol Ta 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 2,996°C; boiling point 5,425°C; specific gravity 16.6; valence 2, 3, 4, 5. See Periodic Table.