🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Cobalt
• Discovered By: Georg Brandt
• Year of Discovery: Around 1735
• Category: Transition Metal
• Group: 9 (Group VIIIB – Transition Metals)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (hard, silver-gray metal) ⚙️

Cobalt is a hard, magnetic, silver-gray metal used in batteries, magnets, paints, and even in your body. It’s rare, useful, and has a rich blue connection to art and technology! 🎨🔋

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Co
• Atomic Number: 27
• Atomic Mass: ~58.93 u
• Valency: 2 or 3
• Electronic Configuration: [Ar] 3d⁷ 4s²

Cobalt is magnetic, like iron and nickel. It reacts slowly with air and acids and forms colorful compounds, especially bright blue ones.

📘 Basic Things to Know

The name “Cobalt” comes from the German word “Kobold,” meaning goblin — because miners thought cobalt ores were useless and even poisonous. But they were wrong — cobalt turned out to be incredibly valuable!

It’s usually found in minerals like cobaltite and as a byproduct of mining nickel and copper.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Cobalt is magnetic, and it stays magnetic at higher temperatures than most metals. 🧲
• Cobalt blue pigment is used in glass, ceramics, and paints — giving it a deep blue color. 🎨
• It’s essential for human health — it’s part of vitamin B₁₂, needed for red blood cells. 💉
• Rechargeable batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, often contain cobalt. 🔋
• Cobalt was once used to color porcelain and stained glass windows in ancient times. 🪟

🔧 Common Uses

• Batteries: Found in lithium-ion batteries used in phones, laptops, and electric cars. ⚡📱🚗
• Alloys: Used to make strong, heat-resistant metals for airplane engines and tools. ✈️🛠️
• Pigments: Used in making cobalt blue for paints, tiles, and glass. 🟦
• Magnets: Cobalt is part of high-strength permanent magnets used in motors and speakers. 🔊
• Medical Equipment: Radioactive cobalt-60 is used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment. 🏥

📚 Conclusion

Cobalt is a colorful, powerful, and magnetic metal that brings energy to batteries, beauty to art, and strength to alloys. From your smartphone to famous blue pottery, cobalt is a hidden hero in daily life. For students, cobalt is a great way to learn how science and technology often meet in the elements. 🔬🔵