Is Cobalt a Metal or Nonmetal? (+3 Surprising Facts to Know)

Cobalt is a metal. It is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal that belongs to the transition metals group in the periodic table. ^{1 2} It has a high melting point and is a good conductor of electricity and heat. ³

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Explanation: Why is cobalt a metal?

Cobalt is a metal because it has the physical and chemical properties characteristic of metals.

Physically, metals like cobalt are typically solid, shiny, and have a high melting and boiling point. ⁴ Cobalt is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal that is solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 1495 °C and a boiling point of 2870 °C. ⁵

Chemically, metals tend to have high electrical and thermal conductivity, are malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets) and ductile (can be drawn into thin wires), and have a tendency to form positive ions in chemical reactions. Cobalt exhibits all of these properties, making it a metal.

In the periodic table, cobalt is classified as a transition metal, which is a group of metals located in the center of the table that have partially filled d-orbitals. ⁶

These metals exhibit unique properties due to their electronic structure, such as their ability to form multiple oxidation states and their tendency to form complex ions and compounds. ⁷

Overall, the physical and chemical properties of cobalt make it a metal and a valuable element for a variety of industrial and technological applications.

Properties of cobalt that classify it as a metal

Cobalt possesses several properties that classify it as a metal:

• Lustrous and opaque: Cobalt has a shiny, reflective surface that is opaque to light. This property is common to most metals. ⁸
• Good conductor of heat and electricity: Cobalt has high thermal and electrical conductivity, meaning that it can transfer heat and electricity easily. This property is essential for its use in electrical and electronic devices. ^{9 10}
• High melting and boiling point: Cobalt has a high melting point (1495 °C) and boiling point (2870 °C), which means that it can withstand high temperatures without melting or evaporating. ¹¹ This property is important for its use in high-temperature applications such as gas turbines and jet engines. ^{12 13}
• Malleability and ductility: Cobalt is malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets) and ductile (can be drawn into thin wires), making it easy to shape and form. This property is important for its use in manufacturing processes.
• Forms positive ions: Cobalt has a tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions in chemical reactions, which is a characteristic property of metals. This property is essential for its use in the production of alloys and other chemical compounds. ¹⁴

Overall, these properties of cobalt make it a valuable metal for various industrial and technological applications, including the production of alloys, magnets, rechargeable batteries, and other electronic devices.

How is cobalt different from other metals?

Cobalt shares many properties with other metals, but it also has some unique characteristics that set it apart from other elements in the periodic table. Here are some ways in which cobalt is different from other metals:

• Magnetic properties: Cobalt is one of the few ferromagnetic metals, meaning that it is strongly attracted to magnets and can be magnetized itself. ¹⁵ This property is important for its use in the production of magnets and magnetic alloys.
• Biological importance: Cobalt is an essential element for many living organisms, including humans, as it is a key component of vitamin B12. ^{16 17} This makes cobalt different from many other metals that do not play a role in biological processes.
• Color: Cobalt has a unique blue color, which is used in ceramics, glass, and pigments. ¹⁸ This makes it different from most other metals that are silvery-gray in color.
• High-temperature stability: Cobalt has a high melting and boiling point, which makes it useful for high-temperature applications such as gas turbines and jet engines. This property sets it apart from some other metals that may melt or become unstable at high temperatures.

Overall, while cobalt shares many properties with other metals, its magnetic properties, biological importance, color, and high-temperature stability make it a unique and valuable element for a variety of industrial and technological applications.

Further reading

Is Nickel a Metal?
Is Copper a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Zinc a Metal or a Nonmetal?
Is Gallium a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid?
Is Arsenic a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid? 

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