What chemical element was named after an evil underground dwarf?
This element was first discovered and extracted from the mineral as far as 1735. Its atomic number in the periodical system is 27 and its symbol is 'Co'. This metal is found in the Earth's crust and only in a combined form.
The origin of its name is rather interesting. The word was derived from the German 'kobold' which means a dwarf or goblin. Medieval miners believed that kobolds were very evil and tried to defend their underground treasure. Miners also gave this name to the ore of cobalt, because it contains arsenic that oxidizes during the process of smelting and becomes very toxic. Medieval miners were sure that they got intoxicated because of the kobolds' witchcraft.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
44 Comments
DIVER DEAN
Always interesting to learn the origin of names
Susannah Landis
The wonderful illustration used for this question was very 'Grimmsian'.
Jennifer Dyster
knew it from the german but taped the wrong answer during a sudden advertisement intrusion such an annoying ap
Marianne Frederick Halterman
Useful in cancer treatments in the 1940s-50s.
marilynmitri
Good question. Something clicked in my mind and I knew it was cobalt, but not why. Thanks for the reminder. It's a beautiful Blue.
mapiferuk
It’s very annoying when answers jumó if you are using a mobile, you select the wrong answer unintentionally without even having seen the full options. At least it explains why some really easy questions I’ve seen don’t reach the 100 % on the ring
William R. Meredith
Still used as a gamma source in industrial radiography
Boyd Tracy
erik hPicky picky picky .... We all now know how smart and sophisticated you areughes,
Boyd Tracy
Good question. Interesting background.
Patty K
Interesting! Don't think I've ever heard of that before
Chris Braid
Got that wrong! Great Q and A!
gibeaudarsijo
I found this question and the origin of this ores name very interesting and informative. Love this game!!!
Maurice Carlier
Good Q . why is the author not credited?
erik hughes
The wording is wrong - should not be "named after an evil underground dwarf", which limits it to one specific evil dwarf. "Kobold" is the word for a whole race of goblins (you'd know this if you ever played "Dungeons and Dragons").
Mr.LaFaye
Cool Beans, I did not know this,
I like the shade of Color it is, Cobalt Blue.
