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Molybdenum Essay

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Molybdenum is a chemical element with symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin molybdenum, from Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos, meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. The mass number is 95.94, number of neutrons is 54, the electron configuration is [Kr]4d⁵5s¹. Molybdenum is used as glass furnace electrodes due to its high melting point. It is also used in the petroleum industry, to catalyze the removal of organic sulfur compounds in coal liquification and gas liquification processes. Molybdenum is an essential trace element for animals and plants. molybdenum can cause diarrhea, growth retardation, infertility, low birth weight, and gout; it can also affect the lungs, kidneys, and liver. The Climax Mine is located approximately 13 miles northeast of Leadville, Colorado and is a porphyry molybdenum deposit with molybdenite as the primary sulfide mineral. The other major source of molybdenum is by product from copper mines in the western part of the United States, Canada, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Molybdenum is a valuable alloying agent, contributing to quenched and tempered steels ability to harden and toughness. molybdenum has been used as electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces and forehearths. As a filament material in electronic and electrical applications. It is a valuable catalyst for refining petroleum. It is used in certain nickel-based alloys, such as the Hastelloys, patented alloys that are resistant to heat and corrosion and chemical …show more content…

It is most often obtained from the minerals molybdenite, wulfenite and powellite. Molybdenum is also obtained as a byproduct of mining and processing tungsten and copper. The main known function of molybdenum in humans is to act as a catalyst for enzymes and to help facilitate the breakdown of certain amino acids in the body.Molybdenum combines with sulfite oxidase to catalyze sulfur-containing amino acids that are crucial for human

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