Quick answerMolybdenum (Mo) is a transition metal with atomic number 42 and an atomic mass of 95.95 (2023), in group 6, period 5. It was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778. It is used for steel alloys and catalysts. Its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d5 5s1.
Molybdenum toughens steel for pipelines and tools, and its enzymes help every living cell process nitrogen and sulfur.
Key facts
| Symbol | Mo |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 42 |
| Atomic mass | 95.95 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 6 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Kr] 4d5 5s1 |
| Discovered | Carl Wilhelm Scheele, 1778 |
| Uses | steel alloys, catalysts, lubricants, electronics, fertilisers |
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Zinc (Zn) — another transition metal, atomic number 30
- Yttrium (Y) — another transition metal, atomic number 39
- Zirconium (Zr) — another transition metal, atomic number 40
- Niobium (Nb) — another transition metal, atomic number 41
- Technetium (Tc) — another transition metal, atomic number 43
- Ruthenium (Ru) — another transition metal, atomic number 44
- Rhodium (Rh) — another transition metal, atomic number 45
- Palladium (Pd) — another transition metal, atomic number 46
- Silver (Ag) — another transition metal, atomic number 47
- Cadmium (Cd) — another transition metal, atomic number 48
- All transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.