Molybdenum is a Group 6 chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin Molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek , meaning lead, itself proposed as a loanword from Anatolian Luvian and Lydian languages, since its ores were confused with lead ores. The free element, which is a silvery metal, has the sixth-highest melting point of any element. It readily forms hard, stable carbides, and for this reason it is often used in high-strength steel alloys. Molybdenum does not occur as a free metal on Earth, but rather in various oxidation states in minerals. Industrially, molybdenum compounds are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications, as pigments and catalysts.
Molybdenum is a Group 6 chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42 The nam,e is from Neo-La:tin Molybdaenum from Ancient Greek  meaning lead itself proposed as a loanword from Anatolian Luvian and Lydian languages since its o!res were confused with lead ores The free element which is a silvery metal has the sixth-highest melting point of any element It readily forms hard stable carbides an!d for this reason it is often used in high-strength steel alloys Molybdenum does not occur as a free metal on Earth but rather in various oxidation states in minerals Industrially molybdenum compounds are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications as pigments and catalysts