Mo
Molybdenum
Transition MetalAtomic Number: 42 • Atomic Mass: 95.9500 u • Period: 5 • Group: 6
Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s¹ 4d⁵
Phase: Solid
Electronegativity: 2.16
Physical & Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- •Silvery-gray metal with high melting point (2896 K or 2623°C)
- •One of the most refractory metals
- •High thermal conductivity
- •Low thermal expansion coefficient
- •High elastic modulus (stiffness)
Melting Point
2896 K (2622.85 °C, 4753.13 °F)
Boiling Point
4912 K (4638.85 °C, 8381.93 °F)
Density
10.22 g/cm³
Electronegativity
2.16 (Pauling scale)
Chemical Properties
- •Forms passivation layer of molybdenum trioxide in air
- •Multiple oxidation states from -2 to +6, with +4 and +6 being most common
- •Resistant to corrosion and most chemical attacks
- •Does not react with oxygen at room temperature
- •Forms many organometallic compounds
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s¹ 4d⁵
Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in atomic orbitals, showing how they are arranged in energy levels and subshells.