The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Niobium is a transition element. It is the fifth element in Row 5 of the periodic table. Niobium's atomic number is 41, its atomic mass is 92.9064, and its chemical symbol is Nb.
Niobium is a shiny gray metal with a melting point of 4,474°F (2,468°C), a boiling point of 8,901°F (4,927°C), and a density of 8.57 grams per cubic centimeter. Niobium is a relatively inert element, although it does react with oxygen and concentrated acids at high temperatures.
Niobium occurs primarily in two minerals, columbite and pyrochylore. A second element, tantalum, is always present in these minerals along with niobium. Separating the two elements from each other is very difficult. The abundance of niobium in the Earth's crust is estimated to be about 20 parts per million.
The story of niobium's discovery is a long and fascinating tale. The element was for many years confused with its "twin," tantalum. The two elements always occur together in nature and have very similar properties. Discovery of the element was first announced in 1801 by the English chemist Charles Hatchett (1765- 1847). However, it was more than 40 years before enough research had been completed that chemists generally recognized Hatchett's claim to discovery of the element.
Hatchett originally suggested the name columbium for the element after the mineral, columbite, in which it was found. A half century later, the German chemist Heinrich Rose (1795-1864), after confirming Hatchett's original discovery, proposed a different name--niobium. Rose made the suggestion because in Greek mythology, Niobe is the daughter of the god Tantalus, from whom the name tantalum comes. In 1949, the element was finally and officially named niobium. However, many metallurgists still use the older name of columbium for the element.
Niobium is used primarily in the manufacture of alloys for use in products such as nuclear reactor components, airplanes and space vehicles, and skateboards. Niobium alloys are becoming more popular for the manufacture of jewelry because they are light weight and do not produce allergic skin reactions. Niobium alloys are also used in the construction of superconducting magnets. The most powerful magnet in the world is one at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in Berkeley, California. It is made of niobium and tin and is three times as strong as the best magnet previously made.