Niobium vs Molybdenum

Side-by-side comparison of Niobium (Nb, element 41) and Molybdenum (Mo, element 42) by atomic structure and physical properties.

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PropertyNb Niobium Mo Molybdenum
Atomic number4142
SymbolNbMo
NameNiobiumMolybdenum
Categorytransition-metaltransition-metal
Standard Atomic Weight92.90637 u95.95 u
Period55
Group56
Blockdd
Phase at STPSolidSolid
Electron configuration[Kr]4d45s1[Kr]4d55s1
Oxidation states[-3, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5][-4, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Electronegativity (Pauling)1.62.16
Electron affinity0.9174 eV0.744 eV
Density8570 kg/m³1.02e+4 kg/m³
Melting point2476.85 °C2622.85 °C
Boiling point4743.85 °C4638.85 °C
Discovery year18011778

Key Differences

PropertyNb NiobiumMo Molybdenum
Standard Atomic Weight92.90637 u ↓ lower95.95 u ↑ higher
Density8570 kg/m³ ↓ lower1.02e+4 kg/m³ ↑ higher
Melting point2476.85 °C ↓ lower2622.85 °C ↑ higher
Boiling point4743.85 °C ↑ higher4638.85 °C ↓ lower
Electronegativity (Pauling)1.6 ↓ lower2.16 ↑ higher
Electron affinity0.9174 eV ↑ higher0.744 eV ↓ lower
Group5 6
Electron configuration[Kr]4d45s1 [Kr]4d55s1
Discovery year1801 1778