Cobalt

Name: Cobalt Symbol: CoAtomic Number: 27 Atomic Mass: 58.9332 amu.Atomic Radius: 125 pm.Melting Point: 1495.0 °C (1768.15 K, 2723.0 °F) Boiling Point: 2870.0 °C (3143.15 K, 5198.0 °F)

Date of Discovery: 1737 Discoverer: George Brandt.Name Origin: From the German word kobalt or kobold (evil spirit).Uses: magnets, ceramics, special glasses.Obtained From: arsenic, oxygen, sulfur, cobaltine.Density: 8.90 g·cm−3.

Cobalt is found on earth as a byproduct in the mining and refining process of nickel, silver, lead, copper, and iron. Cobalt ore deposits can be found in the most significant amounts in Morocco, Zaire, and Canada. A U.S. Geological Survey has reported that the cobalt deposits could be found at the bottom of the north central Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian islands and possibly other U.S. Pacific territories. Meteorites that have landed on earth also contain cobalt.

Above is a chunk of cobalt rich calcite crystals calcite crystals are norally clear.

Colbalt is a ferromagnetic, ductile metal, which is very similar to iron, but is much rarer than this. It is used for magnets and for many different alloys. Cobalt blue, CoAl2O4, is one of the most important blue colorants for glas and ceramics. Also cobalt is part of the vitamin B12 and therefore is needed in small amounts in our food.