Molybdenum (Mo) – Periodic Table [Element Information & More]

Molybdenum element (Mo) is in group 6 and period 5 of a periodic table. Molybdenum is in the d-block and it is classified as a transition element on the periodic table.

There is a lot more information related to transition which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.

So let’s dive right into it!

Table of contents

• Molybdenum element (Information Table)
• Molybdenum element in Periodic table
• Facts about Molybdenum
• Properties of Molybdenum
• Uses of Molybdenum

Molybdenum Element (Information Table)

The important data related to molybdenum element is given in the table below.

Appearance of molybdenum	Gray metallic shiny appearance
Atomic number of molybdenum	42
Symbol of molybdenum	Mo
Atomic mass of molybdenum	96.95 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in molybdenum	Protons: 42, Neutrons: 54, Electrons: 42
State of molybdenum (at STP)	Solid
Group number of molybdenum in periodic table	6
Period number of molybdenum in periodic table	5
Block of molybdenum in periodic table	d-block
Category of molybdenum	Transition metals
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in molybdenum	2, 8, 18, 13, 1
Electron configuration of molybdenum	[Kr] 4d5 5s1
Orbital diagram of molybdenum
Electronegativity of molybdenum (on pauling scale)	2.16
Atomic radius of molybdenum (van der Waals radius)	209 picometers
Density of molybdenum	10.28 g/cm3
1st ionization energy of molybdenum	7.092 eV
Main isotopes of molybdenum	95Mo, 96Mo, 98Mo
Melting point of molybdenum	2896 K or 2623 °C or 4753 °F
Boiling point of molybdenum	4912 K or 4639 °C or 8382 °F
Crystal structure of molybdenum	Body Centered Cubic (BCC)
Discovery of molybdenum	By Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778

Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).

Molybdenum element in Periodic table

The Molybdenum element (Mo) has the atomic number 42 and is located in group 6 and period 5. Molybdenum is a metal and it is classified as a transition element.

Click on above elements in the periodic table to see their information.

Facts about molybdenum

Here are a few interesting facts about molybdenum element.

1. Molybdenum was given its name from the Greek word “molybdos”, which means lead.
2. Molybdenum is the 54^th most abundant element present in the earth’s crust.
3. The concentration of molybdenum is 1.2 ppm (by weight) in the earth’s crust.
4. Around 200,000 tons of molybdenum is produced annually in the world.
5. Around 80% of molybdenum is used in steel manufacturing.
6. Molybdenum ores are available in large quantities from China.
7. The density of molybdenum is half the density of tungsten.
8. Molybdenum is also present in plants as well as animals as a micronutrient.

Properties of molybdenum

Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of molybdenum.

Physical properties of molybdenum

• Molybdenum has a gray metallic luster.
• There are many isotopes of molybdenum. Out of these, the common isotopes are ⁹⁵Mo (15.8 %), ⁹⁶Mo (16.6 %), and ⁹⁸Mo (24.3 %).
• The atomic mass of molybdenum is 96.95 u and its density is 10.28 g/cm³.
• The melting point and boiling point of molybdenum is 2896 K and 4912 K respectively.

Chemical properties of molybdenum

• The electronic configuration of molybdenum is [Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹ and it has incomplete d-orbitals.
• Molybdenum does not show any reaction with water at room temperature, but it reacts with it at higher temperature (above 600  °C) to form molybdenum trioxide.
• Molybdenum can form compounds with many other elements as it has many oxidation states.

Uses of molybdenum

Here are some uses of the molybdenum element.

• Molybdenum is used as an alloying element with other elements which gives improved properties like hardness, strength, etc.
• The powdered molybdenum is used in powder metallurgy.
• Molybdenum is used as a catalyst in petroleum industries.
• Molybdenum is also used in glass melting electrodes, because molybdenum can resist higher temperatures.
• Molybdenum is also used in making engine parts, drill bits, saw blades, etc.

External resources:

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