Cobalt is a blue-gray lustrous, metallic element on the periodic table. The name "cobalt" comes from the German word for goblin, kobald, and the Greek word for mine, cobalos. Even though cobalt is rare in the Earth's crust, it can be found in Canada, Morocco, Zaire, and meteorites.
Meteorite shower
Cobalt mineral
Cobalt was discovered by Georg Brandt in the 1730s, in Sweden. Cobalt was originally thought to be bisthmus, another element on the periodic table. Each element on the periodic table is identified by its atomic number or atomic symbol. Cobalt has the atomic number 27 and the atomic symbol "Co". Cobalt is a solid at room tempature but will melt at 2,723 degrees fahrenheit.
Cobalt is often used in alloys, usually stellite alloys. Cobalt is beneficial to humans because it is apart of vitamin B12. You can be exposed to cobalt by drinking water, breathing air, or eating food that contains cobalt. Cobalt is naturally found in the environment. Mining or coal combusting can add cobalt to the environment and once cobalt is in the environment it cannot be destroyed. Cobalt is never found in high amounts in plants or animals, so it is not bad for the environment. Cobalt is found as an ore or compound in nature. Cobalt can be smelted into its pure form, which is hard and lustrous or shiny.
Cobalt mineral in its pure form at room tempature
