Molybdenum
At position 42 is another transition metal - Molybdenum. It sits in the middle of the transition metals with Chromium above it and Tungsten below it. Molybdenum is known by the chemical symbol Mo. It has 4 electrons in its outer orbital and forms compounds with many other elements including hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur.
Molybdenum doesn't exist as elemental metal in nature but it can be isolated from its oxide. The isolated metal is a silvery white colour.
Small traces of Molybdenum are necessary for life in all species.
Because it doesn't expand or soften when heated to very high temperatures Molybdenum is used in applications that have to withstand very high temperatures. It is added to steel to increase the strength.
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