CO-BALT
The element has been used for hundreds of years, but was named in 1735 by a chemist named Brandt. We often mention that you cannot find this element or that element free in nature. While cobalt is found in many minerals, it can be found as a pure element.
As miners have discovered, cobalt is often found in areas with high levels of arsenic (another element in the fourth period/row of the periodic table).
Where can you find cobalt?
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Paints If you have ever painted a picture or maybe even a wall, you have probably heard about Cobalt Blue. It's a color that has been used for hundreds of years and is dependent on the element cobalt for its color. |
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Medicines There is a very important radioactive isotope of cobalt that is used in medicine. It's not too radioactive and doesn't hurt the patient, but it can be used as a tracer element to find things like cancer. |
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Alloys Cobalt is a metal. It is used to produce many types of alloys including stainless steel. Transition metals = Used in Alloys |
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Pottery Cobalt is used in both glazes and the manufacture of pottery, ceramics, and even the tiles on your roof. |
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Trace Element Your body actually needs cobalt to survive. It is one of many trace elements needed in your diet. Cobalt is also used to manufacture vitamin B12. |
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Meteors After analysis of meteorites found on Earth, astronomers have discovered that cobalt is one of the many elements found in the meteors traveling trough the Universe. |