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15 Cool Facts About Cobalt

Proudly nestled at the 27th slot of the periodic table, the captivating and versatile cobalt stands as a shining representative of transition metals. With its lustrous, silvery-blue hue, cobalt boasts a rare distinction as the only element that is naturally blue.

While it may not be as famous as the likes of iron, zinc, steel, and other metals, its significance cannot be underestimated. From its indispensable role in life-sustaining vitamin B12 to its magnetic allure and its applications in cutting-edge technology, cobalt’s captivating character is an alchemist’s dream.

Read about the famous alchemist Nicolas Flamel here!

This article will highlight some very cool facts about this very under looked and underappreciated metal.

1. Pure Cobalt Does Not Exist in Nature

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A cool fact about Cobalt is it notably lacks a presence in its pure natural form. Instead, it is typically found in conjunction with other elements in various ores more so nickel and iron.

See some cool facts about iron here!

Why? Well, this is because Cobalt tends to readily combine with other elements to form compounds, making it difficult for it to exist in its elemental state in nature.

Some common ores that contain Cobalt include; cobaltite, erythrite, and glaucodot. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Canada, and Australia are some of the major cobalt-producing nations.

2. Cobalt Is Named After German Mythical Goblins

, , via Wikimedia Commons (Secured Cobalt mine)

A rather interesting fact about cobalt is that the name boasts an intriguing etymological origin from folklore and legends. The name “Cobalt” finds its roots in the German word “Kobold,” which translates to “goblin” or “evil spirit.”

This name can be traced back to medieval mining practices. It came about because of the experiences miners had when they interacted with Cobalt.

While melting ores in mines, the miners would inhale toxic gases, now understood to be arsenic, leading to mysterious and sometimes deadly occurrences. Since this was before the understanding of toxic metals and minerals superstitious miners blamed the mysterious deaths on ‘kobolds’.

Even after it was known that Arsenic compounds were the issue, the name stuck with Cobalt.

3. Cobalt Is The First Metal with A Recorded Discoverer

The credit for cobalt’s discovery is often attributed to Swedish chemist Georg Brandt, who identified the element in 1735. Brandt’s pioneering work involved the examination of the properties of a deep blue pigment found in glass and ceramics.

He successfully isolated the metal from this pigment and named it a new “semi-metal” before it took the name cobalt as it was the common element from the ores associated with ‘kobolds.’

Cobalt became the first metal to be discovered since the pre-historical period as well as the first with a recorded discoverer. All other metals do not have recorded discoverers.

4. Cobalt Has Been in Use Since the Prehistoric Period

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Archaeological evidence reveals that early civilizations, including the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians, were well aware of cobalt’s captivating properties. Not only were they aware but they employed it for a myriad of practical and aesthetic purposes.

One of the most prominent uses of cobalt during this era was in glassmaking and ceramic glazes, where its inclusion imparted an alluring blue tint to the final products. Additionally, cobalt was an essential component in creating vibrant blue pigments, which were used in intricate artworks and pottery.

5. It Is Used to Treat Cancer

Cobalt’s applications extend to modern medicine, particularly in cancer treatment where it is used in radiation therapy for cancer patients.

This is through Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope of cobalt. The process involves exposing cancerous cells to high-energy gamma rays emitted by the decay of cobalt-60.

These gamma rays effectively damage the DNA within the cancer cells, impeding their ability to replicate and grow.

6. Cobalt Is Used in Lithium-Ion Batteries and Other Technology

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Cobalt also holds a crucial role in modern technology, particularly in the realm of lithium-ion batteries and other cutting-edge applications. In lithium-ion batteries, Cobalt allows for higher energy densities, longer-lasting power, and faster charging times.

Also, cobalt’s presence in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries has revolutionized the portable electronics industry, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles.

Beyond batteries, cobalt’s magnetic attributes make it a vital component in magnetic recording media, such as hard drives and tapes, ensuring seamless data storage and retrieval.

Additionally, cobalt’s heat resistance makes it indispensable in the aerospace sector. Here it is used to craft superalloys capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and mechanical stress in jet engines.

7. Cobalt Was Used As A Beer Additive

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Among the many applications for Cobalt, there is one that brought about harm and controversy. This was its use as a beer additive in the 19th century.

Cobalt was used to enhance the appearance of the beer, giving it a more attractive and appealing blue color as well as helping to maintain a beer’s foamy head. Over time, it became evident that cobalt, though harmless in small amounts, can become toxic when consumed in excessive quantities.

Today, due to its potential health risks, cobalt is no longer used as a beer additive, and the brewing industry has shifted its focus toward safer and more natural alternatives.

8. Cobalt Is Expected to Replace Some Precious Metals in Industry

Many industries metal use catalysts to speed up reactions. However, some of these metals such as platinum and iridium, while great catalysts, are very rare and expensive.

Therefore, chemists are looking into ways to use cobalt in place of these metals since it is cheap and abundant. Processes that may require cobalt as a replacement include the making of adhesives, lubricants, or pharmaceutical precursors.

See some cool facts about silver here!

9. There Are Traces of Cobalt in Your Body

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Traces of cobalt are present in a person’s body, primarily due to its vital role in the formation of vitamin B12. Cobalt is part of the essential nutrient B12. B12 is used in the production of DNA and red blood cells.

While the presence of cobalt in the body is necessary for these physiological processes, excessive exposure to cobalt compounds can be potentially dangerous.

Although rare, Cobalt poisoning, may occur through industrial exposure or the prolonged use of certain medical devices containing cobalt, such as joint replacements.

10. It Is The Only Element That Is Blue When Viewed in Isolation

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Cobalt is a unique element, with its uniqueness showing even in its physical state. While most elements present themselves in a range of hues or possess no distinct color at all, cobalt’s mesmerizing blue hue is hard to miss.

This unique trait can be attributed to its electronic configuration, specifically the absorption of certain wavelengths of light. This property has not only captured the fascination of scientists and chemists but has also found practical applications.

From imparting a deep blue color to glass and ceramics to serving as a pigment in paints. However, when mixed with other chemicals, Cobalt can take other colors such as violet pigments, and cobalt green.

11. Cobalt Is Used to Make Powerful Magnets and Superalloys

, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons

Cobalt is used in the manufacturing of strong magnets and superalloys, due to its ferromagnetic characteristics as well as its resistance to high temperatures and pressures.

Therefore, due to these characteristics, it creates powerful and long-lasting permanent magnets. Cobalt’s alloying properties have also revolutionized the creation of superalloys, which are essential in the gas turbine and aerospace sectors.

By incorporating cobalt into these alloys, manufacturers can create materials that can endure extreme conditions.

12. Cobalt Is Used to Test Food for Bacteria and Contaminants

Cobalt is also used in the field of food safety. This is mainly through its use in testing food for bacterial contamination.

See some essential facts about bacteria here!

Cobalt salts, specifically cobalt chloride, are employed as indicators in microbial testing kits. When introduced in a sample suspected to be contaminated, they attract and react with certain bacterial byproducts, resulting in a distinct color change.

This color shift acts as an early warning system, indicating the presence of harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli or Salmonella.

13. Cobalt Was a Key Element In Quantum Physics Discovery

In 2009, Cobalt played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking discovery in the realm of quantum physics. The discovery involved the realization of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a cobalt-atom gas.

BECs are unique states of matter that occur when atoms are cooled to near absolute zero. This causes them to lose their individuality and merge into a single quantum entity.

This breakthrough in quantum physics opened up new avenues of research and advanced our understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and its behavior under extreme conditions.

See 10 things to know about a quantum research scientist here!

14. It Is Used in Automobile Airbags

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Airbags, designed to protect occupants during collisions, are coated with a thin layer of cobalt. This coating serves a crucial purpose in ensuring the airbag’s efficiency and reliability.

This is achieved as Cobalt prevents gas leakage and maintains the airbag’s inflation ensuring that it deploys rapidly and effectively upon impact. This swift and reliable response can make a significant difference in minimizing injuries and safeguarding lives during accidents.

see some interesting facts about cars here!

15. Cobalt Has 22 Isotopes

Cobalt possesses a total of 22 isotopes, each with a varying number of neutrons in its nucleus. These isotopes range from cobalt-47 to cobalt-68.

Of these 22, only one is naturally stable and that is cobalt-59. The remaining 21 are all radioactive and undergo decay processes, emitting radiation over time.

Cobalt stands as a truly unique and remarkable element. Not only due to its plethora of uses but also its mesmerizing blue hue and multifaceted characteristics. It has stood the test of time with generations finding use for it even before it was discovered as an element.