Tantalum is a bluish-gray transition metal with a melting point of 3017 degrees Celsius. Chemically, it behaves like a heavier analogue of Niobium and is very hard to separate from it. It is a relatively unreactive metal which led to it being named after the mythological Greek king Tantalus. It was identified in 1802 by Anders Ekeberg.  

Tantalum is commonly used in a variety of electronics which includes phones, gaming consoles, and cameras. Its conductive properties make it useful in capacitors. Its alloys are used in very hot places such as plane engines and reactors.