
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.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about molybdenum
Here are a few interesting facts about molybdenum element.
- Molybdenum was given its name from the Greek word “molybdos”, which means lead.
- Molybdenum is the 54th most abundant element present in the earth’s crust.
- The concentration of molybdenum is 1.2 ppm (by weight) in the earth’s crust.
- Around 200,000 tons of molybdenum is produced annually in the world.
- Around 80% of molybdenum is used in steel manufacturing.
- Molybdenum ores are available in large quantities from China.
- The density of molybdenum is half the density of tungsten.
- 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.
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