Cobalt Metal | Properties | Uses | Facts

Properties Uses and Facts about Zinc Metal

What is Cobalt

Cobalt metal is classified as a transition metal, and chemically cobalt is an element. Cobalt has a density of 8.9 grams per cubic centimeter. Cobalt has an atomic mass of 58.933 AMU, atomic number 27, and symbol (Co). In the Periodic Table, cobalt is located in group 9, period 4 and block (D). Its atom has 27 electrons, 27 protons, 32 neutrons and 4 energy levels. Cobalt metal is found in the solid state at room temperature. Its melting point is 1495 °C (2723 °F) and its boiling point is 2927 °C (5301 °F).

Cobalt was discovered by the Swedish chemist Georg Brandt in 1739.

Cobalt-metal-Properties-Uses-and-Facts

Properties of cobalt Metal

• Cobalt is a white-blue lustrous metal.
• Cobalt is one of three naturally occurring magnetic elements, the other two being iron and nickel.
• Cobalt maintains its magnetic properties even at high temperatures.
• Cobalt is a hard and brittle metal.
• The chemical form of cobalt is less reactive, it reacts slowly with the oxygen present in the air.
• Cobalt metal is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
• Cobalt reacts with most acids and produces hydrogen gas.

Uses of cobalt Metal

• Cobalt, aluminum and nickel alloys are used to make powerful magnets.
• Cobalt, chromium and tungsten alloys are used to make cutting tools and dies used at high speeds and high temperatures.
• Cobalt is used in alloys used in jet engines and gas turbines.
• Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope of cobalt, is an important source of gamma rays, used in cancer treatment.
• Cobalt is used as a catalyst in the petroleum and chemical industries.
• Some compounds of cobalt are used to color porcelain, tile, pottery, and glass.
• Cobalt is used in electroplating to surface the objects.
• Cobalt is used as a blue coloring agent in paints, inks, glass and ceramics.

Interesting facts about cobalt metal

• Cobalt-60 has a half-life of 5.27 years, after which it is converted to nickel-60 by beta decay.
• Cobalt is present in our body in trace amounts, about 1 mg of cobalt is present in the body of an adult person. Cobalt in excess is carcinogenic.
• Cobalt is a main component of vitamin B-12, so it is extremely essential for human nutrition, apart from this, cobalt is also necessary for the formation of many enzymes in our body.
• Cobalt is obtained as a by-product during the mining of nickel and copper.
• Cobalt metal in powder form is flammable.

Detailed Information on Some other Metals

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