🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Molybdenum
• Discovered By: Carl Wilhelm Scheele (isolated by Peter Jacob Hjelm)
• Year of Discovery: 1778 (isolated in 1781)
• Category: Transition Metal
• Group: 6 (Group VIB – Transition Metals)
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (gray metal) ⚙️

Molybdenum is a strong and durable metal that can handle very high temperatures and is important in making steel tougher.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Mo
• Atomic Number: 42
• Atomic Mass: ~95.95 u
• Valency: Commonly 4 or 6
• Electronic Configuration: [Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹

Molybdenum is resistant to corrosion and heat. It forms many compounds, often used as catalysts and pigments.

📘 Basic Things to Know

Molybdenum gets its name from the Greek word molybdos meaning “lead-like,” because its ore looks like lead ore. It is mostly found in the mineral molybdenite (MoS₂) and is mainly used to improve steel.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Adding molybdenum to steel helps it resist rust and heat, making it great for tools and engines. 🔧🔥
• Molybdenum is important in biological enzymes that help plants and animals process nitrogen. 🌱🐾
• It’s often called a “high-temperature metal” because it melts at over 2,600°C! 🔥
• Molybdenum compounds are used in lubricants, pigments, and catalysts in industry.
• It’s a critical metal in the oil and gas industry for parts that must withstand extreme conditions. ⛽

🔧 Common Uses

• Steel Alloys: Added to steel to make it stronger, harder, and more heat-resistant (used in tools, engines, and pipelines). 🏗️
• Electronics: Used in transistors and other electronic parts. 💻
• Catalysts: Helps speed up chemical reactions in refineries and factories. 🧪
• Lubricants: Used in special lubricants for machines working in extreme heat. ⚙️
• Biological Role: Essential trace element for some enzymes in plants and animals. 🌿

📚 Conclusion

Molybdenum is a tough, heat-loving metal that keeps the world running by making steel stronger and machines work better under pressure. For students, it’s a fantastic example of how metals can combine strength and heat resistance to meet human needs! 🔬🔥