Molybdenum (Mo), element 42 – Learn Acer periodic table

Molybdenum

Transition metal, atomic number 42.

Molybdenum is a chemical element with symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos, meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. Molybdenum minerals have been known throughout history, but the element was discovered (in the sense of differentiating it as a new entity from the mineral salts of other metals) in 1778 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

Facts

Symbol Mo. Atomic mass 95.951 u. Group 6, period 5. Electron configuration [Kr] 4d5 5s1. Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 13, 1. State at room temperature: Solid. Melting point 2622.8 °C, boiling point 4638.9 °C. Discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

Element data from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.