Cobalt

Atomic Number: 27
Symbol: Co
Atomic Mass: 58.93 u
Number of Neutrons: 32
Melting Point: 1495°C
Boiling Point: 2870°C
Electrons per shell: 2.8.15.2
Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d⁷ 4s²

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Cobalt is the 27th chemical element in the periodic table and it is part of the transition metals. Cobalt is the first element in group 9. It is found in the earth's crust but only chemiclly combined with other elements. Cobalt is found in many different ores such as cobaltite (CoAsS), the most common ore, and carrollite (Cu(Co,Ni)₂S₄). Most of these ores are mined in Africa. This element is a hard, shiny, silver-gray metal. Cobalt is often used in lithium-ion batteries, jet engines, gas turbines, and magnetic and high-strength alloys. Cobalt is quite expensive as it is rare and mostly a by-product when mining for nickel and copper. Cobalt mostly costs around $33,000 per tonne. Georg Brandt, a swedish chemist, discovered cobalt in 1739.

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