Atomic Structure of Tantalum

The crystal structure of tantalum nitrides is examined by X-ray and electron diffraction techniques.

In tantalum, the atoms form a body-centered cubic pattern, with one atom at each corner of a cube

and one atom at the center of the cube. If these body-centered cubes are placed side by side and

top to bottom, so that the face of any given cube coincides with the face of one of its neighbors,

the crystal of tantalum is formed. Different tantalum surfaces can be formed depending on 

where the crystal is sliced. Slicing through the body of the cube, as well as slicing the crystal

between the planes of atoms parallel to one of its cubic faces, results in the atoms becoming the

atoms in the topmost layer of the surface. 

    The electron- density distributions of the relaxed surfaces are shown from the top and from the

 side for both surfaces. The top layer of atoms on both surfaces is pulled downward, so the

separation between it and the second layer of atoms is reduced. 

When solid, the crystal structure of tantalum is bcc 

(body-centred cubic):

(http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/elements/tantalum/structure.html)

The shell structure of tantalum:

(http://www.webelements.com/webelements/scholar/elements/tantalum/electronic.html)

Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s²

Lewis Dot Symbol:

Electrons per Energy Level: 

First Energy Level: 2
Second Energy Level: 8
Third Energy Level: 18
Fourth Energy Level: 32
Fifth Energy Level: 11
Sixth Energy Level: 2