Mo
Molybdenum
Atomic number: 42Mass: 95.95 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a silvery metal with a high melting point. It does not occur naturally as a free metal on Earth. It is an essential trace element for nearly all life forms — it is required by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that put nitrogen into the soil.
Properties
Period
5
Group
6
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
2.16 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
684.3 kJ/mol
Melting Point
2896 K (2623°C)
Boiling Point
4912 K (4639°C)
Density
10.28 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+2, +3, +4, +6
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁵ 5s¹
[Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:13e⁻
Shell 5:1e⁻
Real-World Uses
High-strength steel alloys
Aircraft
Lubricants (MoS₂)
Catalysts
Electrodes
Fun Fact
Molybdenum has the fifth highest melting point of all elements — it was once confused with graphite because they look similar!