2. Physical and chemical properties

2.1 Physical properties

Molybdenum, with atomic number 42, is a transition metal in Group 6A of the periodic table. Its oxidation states range from 0 (metallic state) to +6. The metal Mo is silvery-gray in color. It is hard, ductile, and malleable. Some of its physical properties include:

• atomic mass = 95.94

• density = 10.4 g/cm ^-3

• electron configuration = 4d ⁵ 5s ¹

• Ionic radius of Mo ⁴⁺ = 0.68 Å; of Mo ⁶⁺ = 0.62 Å

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