Is Cobalt Magnetic? Element Properties and Uses

Yes, cobalt is a ferromagnetic metal, meaning it can be magnetized and retains its magnetism. It's used in strong permanent magnets, often alloyed with nickel and aluminum, making it valuable for applications in motors, turbines, and medical devices.

For example, a metal is ferromagnetic if it can attract to magnets. And if there is no attraction then it is paramagnetic or diamagnetic. These properties are very important for any application whether it’s domestic or industrial. The magnetic properties of cobalt metal are very interesting to know. So, let’s find out this by highlighting its other unique features and applications with some history in this article.

What is Cobalt?

Cobalt metal is denoted by the symbol ‘Co’. The atomic number of cobalt in periodic table is 27 and present in d-block with nickel and copper. It is present in its ores in a combined form with other chemical elements like nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu). Cobalt metal is obtained by reductive smelting. It is produced basically as a byproduct of Ni and Cu mining. Cobalt has major resources in Copperbelt of Namibia and Congo.

Cobalt metal is a weakly reducing agent. It has a layer of oxides on its surface and is stable in the air. It shows no reaction with H₂O. The reaction of cobalt metal with mineral acid is slow at room temperature. It does not directly react with hydrogen and nitrogen. But it has high reactivity with sulfur, phosphorus, and carbon at higher temperatures.

You must be surprised that cobalt element traces are also important for cattle. It also increases red blood cells in human beings as Vitamin B₁₂.

Cobalt as a transition metal

Cobalt element is a transition metal present in d block of periodic table. It is present as iron, cobalt, and nickel. They have atomic numbers of 26, 27 and 28, respectively. These elements are magnetic metals at room temperature. That is why these are always grouped together and named as ‘Iron Triad’. Having similar magnetic properties of these magnetic metals, they have, however, different nature and properties which is good for many industrial applications. The known magnetic cobalt alloys are nickel cobalt and cobalt chrome.

History of Cobalt Element

You know Cobalt element was first discovered by a Swedish chemist named ‘Georg Brandt’ in 1735. Before that it was found in Egyptian statues and Persian neckless beads as cobalt luster of the 3^rd millennium in glass present with the copper. The presence of blue color was first noticed by Brandt which is due to another metal ‘Cobalt’. It was named Kobold (16th century). He found out that the blue color element is something else than Bismuth, at that time, and revealed as poisonous arsenic-bearing cobalt ores.

Appearance

Cobalt metal has a blue silver appearance as a cobalt luster. It is a nonductile metal with high hardness. Cobalt has the same physical properties as Ni(nickel) and Fe(iron). Like them, it is also a permanent magnet and can be attracted to magnetic field. It is also used to make strong magnets. It is also used to make magnetic alloys by combing with nickel and aluminum.

Chemical Composition and Physical Properties

You know that cobalt metal has unique physical and chemical properties. It has a blue-silver appearance. Cobalt has a brittle nature and is very hard. Cobalt has an electronic configuration of [Ar] 3d7 4s2. The 3 unpaired electrons are found in cobalt orbital which are the reasons of its strong magnetic properties. Thus, you are familiar with cobalt as a permanent magnet. It also has a high melting point which makes it suitable for high temperatures applications. Cobalt metal has other essential properties as mentioned in table:

Physical properties of cobalt element

What is Cobalt Used in?

cobalt has so many used because of its unique properties. Some of them are

1. Cobalt chrome and nickel cobalt are produced by cobalt metal. These alloys have applications in aerospace industries and for making parts for aircraft, turbines, and engines.
2. It is used in making lithium-ion batteries.
3. It is used in making soft and hard magnets depending upon the application because it is permanent magnet. It is also used to make rare-earth magnets.
4. Cobalt luster is added to make glass and pottery objects. It gives them a blue color. This color is aesthetically pleasant. Other than that, it is used in paints and ceramic making.
5. Cobalt catalyst is used in chemical and petroleum industries.
6. Cobalt-60 isotope is an artificial radioactive element. It has a long service life. It is used for gamma-rays production.
7. The cobalt isotope is also used in inspection of materials and products.

Is Cobalt a Metal Nonmetal or Metalloid?

Cobalt is a metalloid. It is a permanent magnet. The magnetic moment of cobalt is 2.49mB. This defines as the ability of metal to align its magnetic domains in the magnetic field direction. This is found out by the presence of valance electrons in the outermost shell. The magnetic properties of cobalt are permanent with its magnetic moment. It magnetic domains are aligned in the magnetic field direction.

Is Cobalt a Transition Metal

Yes, cobalt metal is a transition metal. It is present in d-block in the periodic table along with nickel and iron which are also magnetic metals. It is a ferromagnetic material and refers to as “permanent magnet’ or “hard magnet’. Strong magnetic alloys like cobalt chrome, nickel cobalt and iron cobalt alloys are produced from cobalt. The iron and cobalt alloy named Alnico has very strong attraction to magnetic field. It is used in making electric guitars pickups which pick up sound vibration accurately.

Is Cobalt Used in Magnets？

Cobalt metal is a permanent magnet. It helps in making permanent magnetic alloys by combining with nickel and aluminum. The magnetic properties of iron, nickel and cobalt are the same because of their strong attraction to magnetic fields. it is also combined with other metals based on 3d-4f compounds to make rare earth magnets.

Can Cobalt be Magnetized?

Yes, cobalt can be magnetized. It is a permanent magnet and found with other magnetic metals like iron and nickel in the periodic table. It helps in making rare earth magnets and other permanent magnetic alloys. Cobalt has magnetic susceptibility of 7.0±1.9×10⁻⁹ m³ kg^−1۔ It is a level of magnetization in any metal in the presence of external magnetic fields This is a high value for any metal and indicates that this is a permanent magnet. Cobalt has high magnetic susceptibility. It is because of magnetic dipoles alignment in the direction of magnetic field. Thus, It is a suitable to make rare earth magnets and stronger magnetic alloys. The strong magnetic alloys of cobalt are cobalt chrome and nickel cobalt.

Atomic structure also plays an important role in magnetization. In cobalt metal, every atom contains unpaired electrons. These electrons react in the presence of magnetic field. They get aligned when magnetic field is present. This alignment generates magnetic forces inside a material, and an attraction toward magnet is generated in any metal. The attraction towards magnetic field makes a metal ferromagnetic. Cobalt is a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet, same as the magnetic metals iron and nickel.

Is Cobalt Chrome Magnetic

Yes, cobalt chrome is magnetic. Cobalt and chromium are combined to make this alloy. Chromium is a non-magnetic material. but when it combines with cobalt it makes a magnetic alloy. Because cobalt is a permanent magnet, and it is present in larger quantity than chrome. That is why cobalt chrome is a magnet.

It is a high strength alloy and has many applications. Major applications include dental implants and orthopedic implants. It also has high biocompatibility and is highly resistant. Cobalt chrome also has high melting point which makes it suitable for medical applications. Cobalt chrome also used in gas turbine making. Another strong magnetic alloy of cobalt is nickel cobalt.

Cobalt metal use for glass coloring

Cobalt luster has oxides blue in color. You know the blue color in glass and pottery enamel. It is because of the coloring agent ‘cobalt’. It leaves a blue shade on objects which are aesthetically appealing. Earlier, people had no control over the glass colors. Then it was discovered that adding color during molten glass gives a good final product. This was basically adding metal to the glass. These metals were mostly oxides in powder form like sulfides and cobalt oxides as cobalt luster. Among them cobalt gave the best results.

Reasons Behind Cobalt's Ferromagnetism

Like iron, cobalt also has unique magnetic properties. It has 3 unpaired electrons. They play an important role in magnetic behavior of cobalt which is more than in any other transition metal of periodic table. It has its own magnetic field inside itself and remains inside itself even if the magnetic field is removed. When an external magnetic field is placed near to the cobalt, the valance electron starts to get aligned in the direction of magnetic field. These are magnetic domains and generate magnetic effects inside the material. This feature is only related to ferromagnetic metal. Therefore, it is the most suitable permanent magnet for any magnetic application. Cobalt magnets have high strength and power which is good for magnetic applications.

Its alloys like cobalt chrome has many applications in medical field. For example, as MRI scanners and as medical implants. This makes it the most suitable magnetic metal for applications in different industries. It is also famous for its electrical applications for making generators, motors, and turbines due to good performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cobalt metal is a weakly reducing agent. It has a layer of oxides on its surface and is stable in the air. It does not react to water. It is a byproduct of copper and nickel mining. Cobalt element is a permanent magnet and has strong attraction in the presence of magnetic field. It is found along with the iron and nickel in the periodic table which are also magnetic metals. Magnetic alloys like cobalt chrome, nickel cobalt and iron cobalt alloys have many applications. These magnetic materials have many interesting applications in medical and electrical fields. The oxides of cobalt are blue in color as cobalt luster. They are often used as coloring agent for glass and pottery enamel. It leaves a blue shade on objects which are aesthetically appealing. The trace of cobalt element is also important to animals like cattle.

For human beings, is matures red blood cells in the form of Vitamin B₁₂. There are also applications of cobalt alloys in electrical industries. Such as for turbines, generators, and motors. The magnetic alloys of cobalt have high application in medical field as medical implants and dental implants. They are highly resistant and biocompatible materials.

You must know that the strong magnetic properties of cobalt make it a material to be used under high supervision. It is necessary to have expert opinions before making it useful for any application.

FAQs about Cobalt Magnetic

How many protons does the element cobalt (co) have?

Cobalt is a transition metal. It is 27 atomic number in periodic table. It has Co representation in symbolic form. The atomic number represents the number of electrons and protons present in an element. Thus, in the atomic structure of cobalt, 27 protons and 27 electrons are present. To know the neutron amount resent in a material, the difference of mass number and number of protons is used. Therefore, cobalt element has 27 protons.

Atomic number 27 represents which element?

The atomic number 27 represents cobalt element. This is placed in the d-block in the periodic table. This placement represents transition metals like. It is found along with iron and nickel in periodic table which are magnetic metals. Cobalt metal is solid at room temperature.