Niobium (Nb) – element 41
Niobium is a chemical element with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. It is a transition metal in group 5, period 5 of the periodic table (d-block), and is a solid at room temperature.
Niobium (Nb) has atomic number 41, atomic mass 92.906 u and electron configuration [Kr] 4d4 5s1.
Niobium facts
| Symbol | Nb |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 41 |
| Atomic mass | 92.906 u (g/mol) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | group 5 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d4 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Kr] 4d4 5s1 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 12, 1 |
Bohr model and shells
Niobium has 41 electrons in 5 shells: 2, 8, 18, 12, 1. Full configuration and noble-gas notation are in the table; work out any element or ion with the electron configuration calculator.
Physical and atomic properties
| Melting point | 2750 K (2476.8 °C) |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 5017 K (4743.9 °C) |
| Density | 8.57 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.6 |
| Electron affinity | 88.516 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 652.1, 1380, 2416 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 24.6 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Charles Hatchett |
Use the atomic mass in the molar mass calculator for any formula containing Nb.
Position in the periodic table
Tap any element to open its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic mass of niobium?
The atomic mass of niobium is 92.906 u, so one mole of niobium atoms weighs 92.906 g.
What is the electron configuration of niobium?
Niobium has 41 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s¹ 4d⁴, or [Kr] 4d⁴ 5s¹ in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 12, 1.
Is niobium a metal?
Yes. Niobium is a transition metal.
Where is niobium on the periodic table?
Niobium is in group 5, period 5, in the d-block.
Data: Periodic-Table-JSON (CC BY-SA 3.0); standard atomic weights from IUPAC (abridged). Values in brackets are the mass number of the longest-lived isotope.