Co
Cobalt
Transition MetalAtomic Number: 27 • Atomic Mass: 58.9330 u • Period: 4 • Group: 9
Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁷
Phase: Solid
Electronegativity: 1.88
Physical & Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- •Hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal
- •Ferromagnetic and can be magnetized
- •High melting point (1768 K or 1495°C)
- •Good conductor of heat and electricity
- •Slightly malleable and very ductile when heated
Melting Point
1768 K (1494.85 °C, 2722.73 °F)
Boiling Point
3200 K (2926.85 °C, 5300.33 °F)
Density
8.86 g/cm³
Electronegativity
1.88 (Pauling scale)
Chemical Properties
- •Main oxidation states are +2 and +3
- •Relatively unreactive, resistant to oxidation in air
- •More reactive at elevated temperatures
- •Forms numerous colored complexes
- •Essential trace element for living organisms
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁷
Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in atomic orbitals, showing how they are arranged in energy levels and subshells.