~Molybdenum In Nature~
Density, Structure, Isotopes, and Natural Abundance
Molybdenum has an electron configuration of 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p65s14d5 with one electron in its outer shell. Molybdenum is most common in the earth’s crust and in oceanic crust. It has a density of 10.22 g/cm3 and seven main isotopes.
Main Isotopes of Molybdenum
|
Atomic Mass of Isotope (amu) |
Natural Abundance |
|
92 |
14.84% |
|
94 |
9.25% |
|
95 |
15.92% |
|
96 |
16.68% |
|
97 |
9.55% |
|
98 |
24.13% |
|
100 |
9.63% |
Structure of Molybdenum
Where Molybdenum is Found and How it is Obtained
Molybdenum is found in different compounds in the earth and also in small amounts in human and animal bodies to help with the activity of certain enzymes. Molybdenite (MoS2) is the primary compound containing molybdenum that is mined from the earth because it is the only compound where the molybdenum obtained from it can be used commercially. The first mining site solely for mining molybdenum was established in Colorado near the end of World War I. Molybdenum is also found mostly in the United States, Chile, and China.
Molybdenum is obtained by first mining molybdenum ore and crushing and processing that until it becomes concentrated molybdenite. The molybdenite is then heated (called roasting) until it becomes molybdenum oxide. The molybdenum oxide is then put through other various processes depending on what it will be used for in the future. To produce pure molybdenum metal, the molybdenum oxide starts as a trioxide compound then goes through a process called hydrogen reduction to obtain pure molybdenum metal that can be used in alloys. During hydrogen reduction, hydrogen reacts with the oxygen in the molybdenum oxide and results in molybdenum metal and water.
Mining Site of Molybdenum in Idaho
