Facts about the Classification of the Element Niobium
Niobium is classified as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the Periodic Table. An Element classified as a Transition Metals is ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.

Brief Facts about the Discovery and History of the Element Niobium
Niobium was discovered by Charles Hatchet in 1801 in the columbite ore that was sent to England in the 1750s by John Winthrop, the first governor of Connecticut. Hatchet therefore gave it the name Columbium. Heinrich Rose and Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac rediscovered the element in 1846. Christian Blomstrand was the first to prepare the metal in 1864.

Occurrence of the element Niobium
Obtained from columbite

Common Uses of Niobium
Tantalum capacitor
Steel alloys
Tantalum plating
Hot metal spraying
Arc welding
Super-conductivity research

The Properties of the Element Niobium
Name of Element : Niobium
Symbol of Element : Nb
Atomic Number of Niobium : 41
Atomic Mass: 92.90638 amu
Melting Point: 2468.0 °C - 2741.15 °K
Boiling Point: 4927.0 °C - 5200.15 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Niobium : 41
Number of Neutrons in Niobium : 52
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 8.57 g/cm3
Color of Niobium : silvery white