What is Cobalt? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts

What is Cobalt?

Cobalt is the 1st element in the 9th column of the periodic table. It is classified as a transition metal. The cobalt atom has 27 electrons and 27 protons with 32 neutrons in the most abundant isotope.

Characteristics and Properties

Under normal conditions, cobalt is a hard, brittle, bluish-white metal. It is one of the few naturally occurring magnetic elements. It can be easily magnetized and remains magnetic at high temperatures.

Cobalt was only slightly reactive. It reacts slowly with oxygen in the air. It forms many compounds with other elements such as cobalt(II) oxide, cobalt(II) fluoride, and cobalt sulfide.

Highlights of Cobalt:

Where is Cobalt found on Earth?

Cobalt is not found as a free element but is found in minerals in the earth’s crust. Cobalt ores include erythrite, cobaltite, skutterudite and glaucodot. Much of cobalt is mined in Africa and is a by-product of mining for other metals including nickel, copper, silver, lead and iron.

How is Cobalt used today?

Most cobalt mined is used in superalloys that are highly corrosion resistant and stable at high temperatures.

Cobalt is also used as a blue colorant in paints, inks, glass, ceramics, and even cosmetics.

Other uses of cobalt include batteries, industrial catalysts, electroplating, and strong magnets.

How was Cobalt discovered?

Cobalt was discovered by Swedish chemist George Brandt in 1735. He isolated the element and proved it to be the source of the blue glass color previously attributed to bismuth.

Cobalt compounds have been used throughout ancient history by civilizations such as China and ancient Rome to make blue glass and ceramics.

Cobalt is also important for animal life. The body uses it to make certain enzymes. It is also a component of vitamin B12.

Where did Cobalt get its name?

Cobalt gets its name from the German word “kobalt” which means “goblin”. Miners gave cobalt ore this name because they were superstitious about mining the ore.

Isotopes

Cobalt has only one stable isotope found in nature: cobalt-59.

Oxidation States

Cobalt exists in oxidation states from -3 to +4. The most common oxidation states are +2 and +3.

Interesting Facts about Cobalt

Cobalt is the first metal discovered since prehistoric times and the first known human discovery.

Cobalt-60 is used to generate gamma rays for cancer treatment and to disinfect medical supplies.

Too much or too little cobalt in the body can cause health problems.

Small amounts of cobalt are sometimes used in fertilizers.

Most of the cobalt used in the United States is imported from other countries.