What is Molybdenum atom?

     

Molybdenum is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42.  The name is from Neo-Latin molybdaenum, which is based on Ancient Greek meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores.  Molybdenum minerals havd been known throughout history, but the element was discovered in 1778 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele.  The metal was first isolated in 1781 by Peter Jacob Hjelm.  

     Molybdenum does not occur naturally as a free metal on  Earth; it is found inly in various oxidation states in minerals.  The free element, a silvery metal with a gray cast,  has the sixth-hightst melting point of any element.  It readily forms hard, stable carbides i alloys, and for this reason most of world production of the element is used in steel alloys, including high-strength alloys and superalloys.

     Most molybdenum compounds have low solubility in water, but when molybdenum-bearing minerals contact oxygen and water, the resulting molybdate ion MoO2- is quite soluble.  Industrially, molybdenum compounds are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications as pigments and catalysts.