Term: molybdenium (Mo)
Literally meaning: “pertaining to lead”
Origin: Anc Greek
In 1778, Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742-1786) claimed that molybdena (MoS2) was an ore of a distinct new element, named molybdenum and molybdena might not be confused with lead like ores (graphite, galena). Peter Swedish chemist Peter Jacob Hjelm (1746- 1813) successfully isolated it in 1781.
Molybdenium is a chemical element with atomic number 42 and atomic mass 95.96. It is a silvery-grey metal that is used mainly in metallurgical applications such as alloying agent in the steel. Another application is the production of electrodes because of its high melting point.