42

Mo

Molybdenum
95.96 (2)
 Historical Information

In 1778 Carl Welhelm Scheele conducted research on an ore now known as molybdenite. He concluded that it did not contain lead as was suspected at the time and reported that the mineral contained a new element that he called molybdenum after the mineral. Molybdenum metal was prepared in an impure form in 1782 by Peter Jacob Hjelm.
Basic Information Shells
  • Name: Molybdenum
  • Symbol: Mo
  • Atomic number: 42
  • Atomic weight: 95.96 (2)
  • Standard state: solid at 298 K
  • Group in periodic table: 6
  • Group name:none
  • Period in periodic table: 5
  • Block in periodic table: d-block
  • Classification: Metallic
 molybdenum
Uses Trivia
  • nuclear energy applications
  • valuable catalyst in petroleum refining
  • filament material in electrical applications

It was often confused with graphite and lead ore. Molybdenum is used in alloys, electrodes and catalysts. The World War 2 German artillery piece called "Big Bertha" contains molybdenum as an essential component of its steel.