42Mo95.95
Molybdenum
Transition metalsHard, shiny metals that conduct heat and electricity well and often form coloured compounds.
[Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹
- Atomic number
- 42
- Atomic mass
- 95.95
- Protons
- 42
- Neutrons
- 54 (most common)
- Electrons
- 42
- Shells
- 2, 8, 18, 13, 1
- State at 25 °C
- Solid
- Position
- Group 6, period 5
Proton (+)Neutron (0)Electron (−)
Discovered byCarl Wilhelm Scheele, 1778 (isolated by Peter Jacob Hjelm, 1781)Carl Wilhelm Scheele: 6 elements
Its ore was long confused with lead ore. The name comes from the Greek molybdos, meaning lead.
Did you know?
- It melts at about 2,620 °C.
- Bacteria that feed plants with nitrogen need molybdenum.
Where it's found
- Molybdenite ore
What it's used for
- High-strength steel
- Lubricants
- Supports inside light bulbs
Try it
There's no safe home experiment for Molybdenum. Explore it with the animated atom above instead.