Tan"ta*lum (?), n. [NL. So named on account
of the perplexity and difficulty encounterd by its discoverer (Ekeberg) in
isolating it. See Tantalus.] (Chem.) A rare nonmetallic
element found in certain minerals, as tantalite, samarskite, and
fergusonite, and isolated as a dark powder which becomes steel-gray by
burnishing. Symbol Ta. Atomic weight 182.0. Formerly called also
tantalium.
Tan"ta*lum (?), n. [NL. So named on account
of the perplexity and difficulty encounterd by its discoverer (Ekeberg) in
isolating it. See Tantalus.] (Chem.) A rare nonmetallic
element found in certain minerals, as tantalite, samarskite, and
fergusonite, and isolated as a dark powder which becomes steel-gray by
burnishing. Symbol Ta. Atomic weight 182.0. Formerly called also
tantalium.