Cobalt (Co) Fun Facts

27 Co
Superhero Identity

"The Blue Goblin, a hero who creates super-strong magnets and gives glass its beautiful deep blue color."

The true essence of Cobalt (Co) on the molecular frontier.

Appearance

Cobalt is a hard, brittle, silvery-blue magnetic metal.

Everyday Connection

Cobalt is found in the deep blue color of a piece of glass art.

In Pop Culture

Cobalt is referenced in spy thrillers � the radioactive isotope Cobalt-60 is often a component of a �dirty bomb.�

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Did You Know?

1

Its name comes from the German word 'kobold', which means 'goblin' or 'evil spirit', because miners in the Middle Ages found it would sicken them (due to arsenic in its ores) while yielding no valuable metal.

2

Cobalt is what gives the famous "cobalt blue" color to glass, ceramics, and pigments.

3

It is a critical component of Vitamin B12, the only vitamin known to contain a metal element.

4

Cobalt is used to create some of the strongest magnets in the world when alloyed with samarium or other rare earth elements.

5

The radioactive isotope Cobalt-60 is used to create gamma rays for sterilizing medical supplies and irradiating food.