Tin
TIN
Tin (Sn) is a silver-white metal that has the atomic number 50 in the periodic table. It is located in Group 14 of the periodic table. It has the symbol Sn.
Tin occurs very rarely in its elemental form in nature instead in the ore cassiterite which is Tin oxide. This is usually obtained through heating with Carbon to reduce the Tin oxide compound. Tin has a number of uses primarily for coating steel in food containers or for making foil sheets. Tin has a crystalline structure and when a bar of Tin is bent a noise made like a screech is this crystal structure breaking, this is known as a tin cry. Tin has been known as an element to humans for a long time since 3000BC when it was used in the production of bronze. It was alloyed with copper to improve the properties. It is located in Group 14 as a metal. It has a melting point of 231°c and a boiling point of 2620°c.
FAQ's
Known to the ancients.
3000 BC
Uses
Used as a coating for steel cans since it is nontoxic and noncorrosive. Also in solder (33%Sn:67%Pb), bronze (20%Sn:80%Cu), and pewter. Stannous fluoride (SnF2), a compound of tin and fluorine is used in some toothpaste.
Sources
Principally found in the ore cassiterite(SnO2) and stannine (Cu2FeSnS4).
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
Sn
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