October 31 - November 3, 2004
Element of the Day
Tuesday, October 12
The element name stems from
molybdos meaning "lead like". In plants it is used biologically for
nitrogen gas fixation, as well as nitrate reduction. Animal metabolism uses it
for purine degredation and the formation of uric acid.
Discovered by: Scheele in 1778. The atomic number is 42 and its atomic mass is 95.94 amu.
Uses: Molybdenum is a valuable alloying agent, used in very high strength steel alloys. The petroleum industry uses it as a catalyst in refining.