NIOBIUM
Niobium was discovered by Charles Hatchett in 1801, England. It was discovered in an American ore (naturally occurring material from the earth, rich in particular elements, such as iron ore) that had been sent to England about a century earlier. Hatchett discovered this ore and named the new element found in it Columbium. Separately, a German chemist discovered another element and called it Niobium. Later, scientists realised that Columbium and Niobium were actually the same element when they purified the elements by heating it in hydrogen gas. The name ‘Niobium’ was adopted internationally in about 1950. Though he did not know it, Charles Hatchett was the first to discover Niobium. Niobium is the 41st element on the periodic table.
Why do you think it has been given that name?
Niobium was named after the Greek word ‘Niobe’ meaning ‘daughter of Tantalus’ (Tantalum is an element on the periodic table that has very similar chemical properties to Niobium).
Has the element been known for; a long time or discovered relatively recently?
Niobium has not been discovered recently, even though the name was only legally passed in about 1950.
Five facts?
· Niobium has similar chemical properties to tantalum as niobium was found in Tantalum ore.
· Niobium didn't have a commercial use until the 1900s.
· Niobium has the largest magnetic penetration depth of any of the known elements.
· Niobium is even used in jewellery making due to its low level of toxicity.
· Niobium alloys are also used in rocket and jet engines due to its superior strength at extremely high temperatures.
Did you find out anything surprising about the element?
The most stable Niobium radioisotope has a half-life of 34.7 million years whilst the least stable Niobium radioisotope has a half-life of 30 milliseconds.
Why do you think it has been given that name?
Niobium was named after the Greek word ‘Niobe’ meaning ‘daughter of Tantalus’ (Tantalum is an element on the periodic table that has very similar chemical properties to Niobium).
Has the element been known for; a long time or discovered relatively recently?
Niobium has not been discovered recently, even though the name was only legally passed in about 1950.
Five facts?
· Niobium has similar chemical properties to tantalum as niobium was found in Tantalum ore.
· Niobium didn't have a commercial use until the 1900s.
· Niobium has the largest magnetic penetration depth of any of the known elements.
· Niobium is even used in jewellery making due to its low level of toxicity.
· Niobium alloys are also used in rocket and jet engines due to its superior strength at extremely high temperatures.
Did you find out anything surprising about the element?
The most stable Niobium radioisotope has a half-life of 34.7 million years whilst the least stable Niobium radioisotope has a half-life of 30 milliseconds.