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What
the name means:
The word molybdenum derives from the Greek
word molybdos, meaning “like lead”.
Who
identified
molybdenum?
Molybdenum was identified by the Swedish
chemist, Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778.
Scheele was investigating the mineral
molybdenite that was thought to be composed
of carbon and lead compounds. He proved
that, although carbon and lead were present
in small amounts, the main component of the
mineral was a compound of a new element,
molybdenum.
Molybdenum was obtained in an impure form
by another Swedish chemist, Peter Jacob
Hjelm in 1781.
About
molybdenum:
Molybdenum is not found as the free element
in nature. Minerals containing molybdenum
compounds are often associated with lead
compounds, which is why molybdenum was
mistaken for lead by early chemists.
Molybdenum is used in steel to increase its
strength. It is also a trace element in
living things. Humans need about 0,01mg of
molybdenum in their daily diet. |
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