Nb
Niobium
Element 41 · Transition metal
Niobium (Nb)
Niobium is a soft, grey, ductile metal. Small amounts make steel stronger, and its alloys become superconducting.
- Transition metal
- Period 5
- Group 5
- d-block
- solid at room temperature
Key properties
- Atomic mass
- 92.9064
- u
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 4d4 5s1
- Melting point
- 2,476.9 °C
- 2,750 K
- Boiling point
- 4,743.9 °C
- 5,017 K
- Density
- 8.57 g/cm³
- Electronegativity
- 1.6
- Pauling
- Atomic radius
- 207 pm
- van der Waals
- 1st ionisation energy
- 6.759 eV
Compare with every element:Electronegativity chartAtomic radius chartIonisation energy chartDensity chart of the elementsMelting point chartElectron configuration chart
Did you know?
Notable facts about niobium
- 01
It was long called columbium, especially in the United States, until 1950.
- 02
The Large Hadron Collider’s magnets use niobium–titanium superconducting cables.
- 03
Brazil produces about 90% of the world’s niobium.
Applications
What is niobium used for?
- High-strength low-alloy steel
- Superconducting magnets (MRI, LHC)
- Jet engine parts
- Hypoallergenic jewellery
History
Discovery & name origin
Discovered by
Year
Where
England
Name origin
From Niobe, daughter of Tantalus in Greek mythology — it is always found with tantalum.
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
Atomic structure
Atomic properties
- Atomic number
- 41
- Atomic mass
- 92.9064 u
- Group
- 5
- Period
- 5
- Block
- d-block
- Electron configuration
- [Kr] 4d4 5s1
- Full configuration
- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d4
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 12, 1
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.6
- Electron affinity
- 0.893 eV
- Atomic radius (van der Waals)
- 207 pm
- Stable isotopes
- 1
Oxidation states
Highlighted: common oxidation states (+5, +3).
Successive ionisation energies
Energy to remove each electron in turn (kJ/mol). Big jumps show where a new, inner shell begins.
- 1st652.1
- 2nd1,380
- 3rd2,416
- 4th3,700
- 5th4,877
- 6th9,847
- 7th12,100
Physical
Physical properties & colour
Physical
Physical properties & colour
- State at 20 °C
- Solid
- Melting point
- 2,750 K · 2,476.9 °C · 4,490.3 °F
- Boiling point
- 5,017 K · 4,743.9 °C · 8,570.9 °F
- Density
- 8.57 g/cm³
- Molar heat capacity
- 24.6 J/(mol·K)
- Appearance
- Grey metallic, bluish when oxidised
- CPK model colour
- Copied
The CPK colour is the convention used for this element’s atoms in molecular models.
FAQ
Niobium questions
What is Nb on the periodic table?
Nb is the symbol for niobium, element 41 on the periodic table. It sits in group 5, period 5, in the transition metal category, and has an atomic mass of 92.9064.
What is the atomic number of niobium?
Niobium has atomic number 41, so every niobium atom has 41 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Nb and its atomic mass is 92.9064.
Who discovered niobium?
Niobium was discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801 (England). The name comes from from Niobe, daughter of Tantalus in Greek mythology — it is always found with tantalum.
What is niobium used for?
Niobium is used for: high-strength low-alloy steel; superconducting magnets (MRI, LHC); jet engine parts; hypoallergenic jewellery.
Is niobium a metal?
Yes. Niobium is a transition metal, one of the metallic elements.
What is the electron configuration of niobium?
The electron configuration of niobium is [Kr] 4d4 5s1. Its 41 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 12, 1.