Term: molybdenium (Mo)
Literally
meaning: “pertaining
to lead”
Origin: Anc Greek
μόλυβδος/molybdos(=lead)
Coined/History
In 1778, Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele
(1742-1786) claimed that molybdena (MoS2) was an
ore of a distinct new element, named molybdenum
and molybdena might not be confused with lead like ores (graphite, galena).
Peter Swedish chemist Peter Jacob Hjelm (1746-
1813) successfully isolated it in 1781.
Definition
Molybdenium is a chemical element with atomic number
42 and atomic mass 95.96. It is a
silvery-grey metal that is used mainly in metallurgical applications such as
alloying agent in the steel. Another application is the production of
electrodes because of its high melting point.
