Iron-+WooYoung+Kang

Iron The human being had been developed over thousands of years, extending and accumulating their knowledge. As the human knowledge is growing, they had discovered many chemical elements. One of the most well-known elements is iron, which had been ‘known’ for long time to humans. ** General facts ** The element, iron, is expressed as ‘Fe’ in science symbol, which is the abbreviation of the Latin word for iron. Iron is generally known as very hard metal. However, it is categorized as a transition metal which can be bent or stretched easily with heating. Iron can be mold to any shapes since it is very flexible, when it is heated with high degree of flames. It contains 26 atoms, and was discovered a long time ago. According to the history, iron was discovered by the Assyrians, who had brought the ironware to Europe, starting the Iron Age. The exact date of discovery of the iron cannot be mentioned, but historians guess that it was known around 5000B.C. ** Physical description   ** Pure iron has a very rough-looking appearance, which exhibits color grey and silver. If it is shined from top, it can even reflect lights off. Sometimes people see brown in ironware but it is just due to the erosion. Usually, iron is heated, prior to be used for any kinds of jobs. The iron’s melting point is 1535 C and its boiling point is 2750 C.

** Interesting facts ** Iron is an interesting element to know, and to investigate about. Iron is very abundant and easily found, since the earth’s crust is mostly made of iron. Also it can be found in the stars, and the sun. Iron has a high density, and is commonly and widely used around the world. 95% of the metals produced in a year (world) are iron products!

** Uses of iron ** Iron is a basic material for human, and is demanded in productions and industries. Whatever we are making, we need iron, and therefore, the iron industries become the one of the basic and essential industries now in our world. The common uses of iron are constructing buildings, and making cookware. Humans alloy the appropriate substances with iron for certain jobs. For example, people combine iron and steel, and use them for constructing the buildings. This combined iron can bear the different level of temperature and the pressure. Second common use of iron is making a cookware. Just like constructing a building, humans use iron containing carbon in creating the cookware. The cast iron, can be used to create frying pan, cake pan and (some) ovens. These are two common uses of iron. However, there are more usages of iron, which people usually do not realize. Such of the examples are the process of purifying the water, dyeing cottons and making rubber. These show the importance of role of iron in the world. ** Hazardous effects ** However, iron does not always give good effects to the humans. Iron also impacted in negative ways to the humans. As people started to produce medicines, they also created the ‘iron’ medicines for those who lacks of irons in their bodies. However, those medicines can result in iron poisoning. Mostly, the accidents happen to children who cannot control themselves, consuming more irons than needed. ** Helpful Information ** Iron is not a metal that only exist on the earth’s crust and is used for industries. Iron exists also in our body, playing the role of oxygen carrier and people need certain amount of iron to live. People have to consume ‘adequate’ amount, meaning no exceeding or shortage. If people are short of iron, they might get iron deficiency, and will negatively affect their health. Be careful of what you are eating next time!

** Bibliography ** “Iron.” __Factsheet__. 25 April 2010 .

Kim, Han Ji. “Assyria.” __Dusan Baekgwa__. 2007.

Marie, Anne. “Iron Facts.” __Chemistry__. 22 April 2010 .

“Old and sold.” __Discovery of Iron__. 22 April 2010 .

“Physical Properties.” __Tutorvista__. 25 April 2010 .

“What are some uses for Iron.” __WiseGreek__. 25 April 2010 . Picture: []

By: Woo Young Kang 7.2 #22