Molybdenum

Transition metal · atomic number 42

4295.951MoMolybdenumSolidTransition metal

Molybdenum is a chemical element with symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos, meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. Molybdenum minerals have been known throughout history, but the element was discovered (in the sense of differentiating it as a new entity from the mineral salts of other metals) in 1778 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

Properties of Molybdenum

Element category	Transition metal
Atomic number	42
Atomic mass	95.951 u
Phase at STP	Solid
Group	6
Period	5
Block	d
Electron configuration	[Kr] 4d5 5s1
Electrons per shell	2, 8, 18, 13, 1
Electronegativity (Pauling)	2.16
Melting point	2896 K (2623 °C)
Boiling point	4912 K (4639 °C)
Density	10.28 g/cm3
Discovered by	Carl Wilhelm Scheele

← Niobium · Periodic table · Technetium → Tc

About the transition metal group

The dense, strong, catalytic heart of the table — iron, copper, gold, titanium — responsible for most of metallurgy, jewellery and industry.

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