The origin of the name comes from the German word kobald meaning goblin or evil spirit. It is hard, ductile, lustrous bluish-grey metal. Surfaces stable in air. Reacts over time with dilute acids. It has remarkable magnetic properties.
Pure cobalt is obtained as a by-product of refining nickel, copper and iron.
Radioactive cobalt-60 is used in cancer therapy. If you have comments, correction or suggestions about this site, please send me an e-mail .