About

Molybdenum is a silvery-gray metal with one of the highest melting points of all pure elements. This property makes it essential for creating high-strength steel alloys that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, used in machinery, military armor, and aircraft parts. It is also an essential trace nutrient for nearly all organisms, functioning as a cofactor in certain enzymes.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number42

Atomic Weight95.95 u

Neutrons (common)56

Electron Configuration[Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹

Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁵ 5s¹

Electrons per Shell2, 8, 18, 13, 1

Electronegativity2.16

Electron Affinity71.9 kJ/mol

Oxidation States+6, +5, +4, +3, +2, 0, -2

Covalent Radius145 pm

Ionic Radius59 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group6

Period5

BlockD

Chemical SeriesTransition metals

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid

Appearancesilvery metallic gray

Crystal Structurebcc

Magnetic Orderingparamagnetic

Speed of Sound5,400 m/s

Poisson Ratio0.31

Thermal Properties

Melting Point2,896 K

Boiling Point4,912 K

Thermal Expansion0 1/K

Thermal Conductivity138 W/(m·K)

Specific Heat0.251 J/(g·K)

Molar Heat24.06 J/(mol·K)

Heat of Fusion37.48 kJ/mol

Heat of Vaporization598 kJ/mol

Abundance

In Earth's Crust1.2 ppm

In Ocean0.01 ppm

In Solar System0.006 ppm

In Human Body0.13 ppm

In Universe0.005 ppm

Discovery

Discovered byCarl Wilhelm Scheele

Discovery Year1,778

Occurrenceprimordial

CAS Number7439-98-7

Electron Configuration

Energy

↿⇂

↿

Isotopes of Molybdenum

Symbol ▲	Mass (u) ▲	Abundance ▲	Half-life ▲	Decay Mode ▲
⁹²Mo	91.906810	14.649%	Stable	Stable
⁹³Mo	92.906810	—	4.0 ky	Electron Capture
⁹⁴Mo	93.905080	9.187%	Stable	Stable
⁹⁵Mo	94.905840	15.873%	Stable	Stable
⁹⁶Mo	95.904680	16.673%	Stable	Stable
⁹⁷Mo	96.906020	9.582%	Stable	Stable
⁹⁸Mo	97.905410	24.391%	Stable	Stable
¹⁰⁰Mo	99.907470	9.744%	7.07 Ey	Double Beta Minus Decay

Interactive Visualization

Explore the 3D Bohr model of Molybdenum in our interactive viewer.

View 3D Model of Molybdenum