Molybdenum

Symbol

Mo

Atomic number

42

Atomic mass	95.94		Thermal conductivity	1.38
Atomic radius	2.01		Covalent radius	1.30
Density	10.2		Atomic volume	9.4
Melting point	2890		Oxidation states	6,5,4,3,2
Boiling point	4912		Stable isotopes	7
Heat of vapor.	598.0		Electronegativity	2.16
Heat of fusion	32.0		First ionization	7.099
Specific heat	0.25		Electrical conduct.	...

Electron configuration

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a metal which has important use as a constituent of alloy steels. Molybdenum makes them stronger and more corrosion-resistant. Molybdenum is also used in pigments and as a catalyst in petroleum refining.

It is found principally in the sulfide mineral molybdenite, MoS₂, of which there is an enormous deposit near Climax, Colorado. The mineral forms in shiny black plates, similar to graphite in appearance. Other mineral forms are Powellite and Wulfenite.

Molybdenum is an exception to the general order of filling of electron orbitals like chromium in the previous period of the same column of the periodic table. It fills five 4d states before it fills the second 5s state. Just those levels outside a krypton core are shown.

Molybdenum Nuclear Data