Uppsala—Anders Gustaf Ekeberg
elements
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Tantalum
- The year after Charles Hatchett discovered niobium,
- Anders Gustaf Ekeberg discovered tantalum in tapiolite from Finland.
- Identification of tantalum was swept up in the same confusion
- because niobium and tantalum are chemically similar
- and occur in the same minerals—columbite, tanpiolite, and tantalite
- —even though tantalum is twice as dense and heavy as niobium.
Atomic number 73
- Contained in some
- alloys and superalloys,
- tantalum is ductile
- and has a high melting point.
- Contained in some
- capacitors and resistors,
- tantalum forms
- an oxide surface layer.
- Contained in some
- orthopedic implants
- tantalum is bioinert
- and non-magnetic.
Rare stuff
- Expensive watches
- and bullets for penetrating armor—
- everyone wants the power
- and ultra quality
- of a rare movement
- in a rare tantalum case
- and so may overlook
- hidden costs.
The Congo has the resource curse; continued dependence on niobium and tantalum by wealthy nations perpetuates violence and corruption in poor nations.
See also in The book of science:
Readings on wikipedia:
Other readings: