Can Cobalt Be Used For Magic?

Cobalt, element symbol Co, silver-white ferromagnetic metal, the surface is silver-white and slightly pink, located in the 4th period, group VIII in the periodic table, atomic number 27, atomic weight 58.9332, close-packed hexagonal crystal, common valence is +2 , +3. Cobalt is a lustrous steel gray metal, relatively hard and brittle, ferromagnetic, and its magnetism disappears when heated to 1150°C. The valence of cobalt is +2 and +3.
 
It does not interact with water at room temperature and is stable in humid air. It is oxidized to produce CoO when heated to 300℃ in air, and burns to Co3O4 when heated in white heat. The fine metal cobalt powder made by hydrogen reduction method can ignite spontaneously in the air to generate cobalt oxide. Cobalt is an important raw material for the production of heat-resistant alloys, hard alloys, anti-corrosion alloys, magnetic alloys and various cobalt salts.
 
Some compounds of cobalt have unpredictable colors in different states and temperatures. According to records, Paracelsus, a famous chemist and doctor in the 16th century, often loved to perform his tricks, and won warm applause from the spectators every time. He first showed the audience an oil painting with a winter landscape covered with snow-covered trees and hills, and after they had enjoyed it enough, he "transformed" the winter in the oil painting under the eyes of everyone. It became summer: the snow on the trees disappeared and turned into clusters of green leaves; the white snow hills turned into green grassy slopes. The audience was amazed, but they didn't know the mystery. In fact, this is a magic performed by Paracelsus using cobalt chloride, a cobalt compound.
 
It turns out that at room temperature, cobalt chloride can be made into a white solution (the solution contains a certain amount of nickel and iron). Paracelsus uses this solution to paint. After the painting is dry, just heat it slightly , The cobalt chloride will become a very beautiful green. When Paracelsus performed, he first applied the cobalt chloride solution to his magic painting, and then while the audience was enjoying the scene without paying attention to him, he swiftly placed a candle quietly behind the painting to heat it. As a result, the cobalt chloride turns green when heated, and the astounding seasonal changes occur.

 
Medical use
 
The mechanism of cobalt's effect on erythropoiesis is to affect the release of erythropoietin from the kidney, or by stimulating the guanidine cycle. It has also been observed that the supply of cobalt can make blood vessels dilate and face redness. This is due to the release of soothing carnosine from the kidneys. Cobalt may have an effect on the function of the thyroid. Animal experiments show that the synthesis of thyroxine may require cobalt, which can antagonize iodine deficiency. The impact.
 
Cobalt can stimulate the hematopoietic system of the human bone marrow, promote the synthesis of hemoglobin and increase the number of red blood cells. Most of them participate in the physiological effects of the body in the form of vitamin B12. The mechanism of cobalt stimulating hematopoiesis is: ① Stimulating hematopoiesis by producing erythropoietin. Cobalt can inhibit intracellular respiratory enzymes, make tissue cells hypoxia, feedback and stimulate the production of erythropoietin, thereby promoting bone marrow hematopoiesis. ②The effect on iron metabolism. Cobalt can promote the absorption of iron in the intestinal mucosa and accelerate the storage of iron into the bone marrow. ③ Participate in the metabolism of ribonucleic acid and hematopoietic substances through vitamin B12, and act on the hematopoietic process. ④ Cobalt can promote the release of red blood cells from the spleen (increased hemoglobin content, active proliferation of reticulocytes and red blood cells, and increased red blood cells in the peripheral blood), thereby promoting hematopoietic function.