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Understanding the element
Molybdenum (Mo) is chemical element 42. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.
Where do we encounter it?
In practice, it turns up most often in metallurgy and steel, catalysts and lubricants.
metallurgy and steelcatalystslubricants
Standard atomic weight95.95(1)
What its position in the table tells us
Molybdenum sits in period 5, group 6 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.
Worth remembering
Molybdenum has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Molybdenum has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses