27Co58.933
Cobalt
Transition metalsHard, shiny metals that conduct heat and electricity well and often form coloured compounds.
[Ar] 3d⁷ 4s²
- Atomic number
- 27
- Atomic mass
- 58.933
- Protons
- 27
- Neutrons
- 32 (most common)
- Electrons
- 27
- Shells
- 2, 8, 15, 2
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 9, period 4
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byGeorg Brandt, about 1735Georg Brandt: 1 element
Miners blamed troublesome ores on the kobold, a goblin of German folklore. Brandt showed the problem was a new metal, and the name stuck.
Did you know?
- Vitamin B12 has a cobalt atom at its centre.
- Cobalt blue has coloured pottery for centuries.
Where it's found
- Cobalt ores, often with copper and nickel
What it's used for
- Lithium-ion battery cathodes
- Deep blue glass and pottery
- Jet engine alloys
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Cobalt. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.