Molybdenum
...bdenum is a solid at STP. Mo is a silvery white metal and has a hard texture. It is a hard, malleable, ductile and high melting transition metal. Molybdenum has a strong thermal and electrical conductivity. Mo is a metal. Some of Molybdenum’s chemical properties are; it resists corrosion at ordinary temperatures, it is very reactive in that it does not occur uncombined in nature, it is stable in air at room temperature, it is not flammable and it is easily oxidized. Some of Molybdenum’s common oxidation states are; +2, +3, +4, +5, or +6. In its most important compounds it has an oxidation state of +6. Molybdenum has many uses all of which are a compound of Molybdenum and something else. Mo is used in lubricants, pigment in ceramic glazes, early incandescent light bulbs, and critical rocket and missile parts. During World War II the Germans constructed a huge piece of artillery and this was made of “Moly steel” which contained molybdenum which previously had no practical application. Adding molybdenum in steel gives it toughness for heavy service and in ...