Iron
EYE-ern
Iron (Fe) is a grey metal that has the atomic number 26 in the periodic table. It is a Transition metal and located in Group 8 of the periodic table. It has the symbol Fe.
Iron is an element that has been known since ancient times and has been an important part in the develop of humans. Iron artifacts have been found dating to 5000 BC and it is known that between 1300-1200BC Iron was easily smelted by humans and replaced bronze as the common metal for making weapons and armour. It was around 1000BC that molten Iron and carbon were mixed together to produce the alloy of steel. Iron’s symbol is Fe after the Latin ‘ferrum’ meaning iron. Iron is a well known magnetic compound due to its unpaired electrons. One third of the Earth’s mass is iron, believed to be in the core producing magnetic poles at North and South. Iron is widely used in construction especially the manufacturing of steel. It is widely used in the human body where it is important in oxygen transport in hemoglobin. It is located in Group 8 and it has a melting point of 1538°c and a boiling point of 2862°c being a solid metal at room temperature.
FAQ's
Known to the ancients.
5000 BC
Uses
Used in steel and other alloys. Essential for humans. It is the chief constituent of hemoglobin which carries oxygen in blood vessels. Its oxides are used in magnetic tapes and disks.
Sources
Obtained from iron ores. Pure metal produced in blast furnaces by layering limestone, coke and iron ore and forcing hot gasses into the bottom. This heats the coke red hot and the iron is reduced from its oxides and liquified where it flows to the bottom
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Fe
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