Element 27

Cobalt (Co)

Transition metal · Period 4 · Group 9 · d-block

Cobalt (Co) is element 27 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 4, group 9 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 58.933 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
27
Symbol
Co
Atomic mass
58.933 u
Category
Transition metals
Period
4
Group
9
Block
d-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d7 4s2
Shorthand configuration
[Ar] 3d7 4s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 15, 2
Oxidation states
-3, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5

Physical properties

Melting point
1768 K
Boiling point
3200 K
Density
8.86 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.88
Atomic radius
152 pm
Covalent radius
126 pm
First ionization energy
760 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
64 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Co-5958.9332100%Stable

Common uses

  • Batteries
  • Superalloys
  • Blue pigments
  • Magnets

Discovery

Year
1735
Discovered by
Georg Brandt
Country
Sweden

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