Quick answerNiobium (Nb) is a transition metal with atomic number 41 and an atomic mass of 92.906 (2023), in group 5, period 5. It was discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801. It is used for superconducting magnets and particle accelerators. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d4 5s1.
Niobium is the metal inside MRI magnets and particle accelerators, superconducting at temperatures where most metals fail.
Key facts
| Symbol | Nb |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 41 |
| Atomic mass | 92.906 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 5 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d4 5s1 |
| Discovered | Charles Hatchett, 1801 |
| Uses | superconducting magnets, particle accelerators, jet engines, steel alloys, medical implants |
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Zinc (Zn) — another transition metal, atomic number 30
- Yttrium (Y) — another transition metal, atomic number 39
- Zirconium (Zr) — another transition metal, atomic number 40
- Molybdenum (Mo) — another transition metal, atomic number 42
- Technetium (Tc) — another transition metal, atomic number 43
- Ruthenium (Ru) — another transition metal, atomic number 44
- Rhodium (Rh) — another transition metal, atomic number 45
- Palladium (Pd) — another transition metal, atomic number 46
- Silver (Ag) — another transition metal, atomic number 47
- Cadmium (Cd) — another transition metal, atomic number 48
- All transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.