Physical and chemical properties
Extractive metallurgy of molybdenum

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 = 4d⁵5s¹

• Ionic radius of Mo⁴⁺ = 0.68 Å; of Mo⁶⁺ = 0.62 Å

• oxidation-reduction potential of Mo³⁺/Mo = −0.2 V

• melting point = 2,620 °C