Molybdenite - 3.5g - Namibia (no. RBX27)

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Molybdenite from Namibia

Measurements approximately

Depth 0.5cm

Width 2cm

Length 2.5cm

Weight 3.5g
Tiny bits will come away from specimen.

Molybdenite is the most important ore of the metal molybdenum. Molybdenite is currently being researched as a possible replacement semiconductor for silicon in transistors in electronic chips.

Atomic number 42 - the number of a chemical element in the periodic table 

The name is derived from the Greek 'molybdos' meaning lead.

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Although it is toxic in anything other than small quantities, molybdenum is an essential element for animals and plants.

There are about 50 different enzymes used by plants and animals that contain molybdenum. One of these is nitrogenase, found in nitrogen-fixing bacteria that make nitrogen from the air available to plants. Leguminous plants have root nodules that contain these nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

In hexagonal-shaped crystals, often very thin and flaky, and sometimes irregular, often with complex layers, and can also be bent due to this minerals  flexibility.