Iron
🏗️ In Your World
Iron is arguably the most important metal in human civilization. It is the main ingredient in steel, the backbone of modern construction, used to build everything from skyscrapers and bridges to cars and ships. In your body, iron is a vital component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
📖 The Discovery Story
Iron has been known since antiquity, and no single person is credited with its discovery. Its use marks a major period in human history known as the Iron Age, which began around 1200 BCE. The symbol Fe comes from its Latin name, ferrum. Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and is believed to be the main component of the Earth's core.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 1538 °C / 2800 °F |
| Boiling Point | 2862 °C / 5184 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d⁶4s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 5.63% (4th most abundant) |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Iron is essential for human health, but an excess can be toxic, leading to a condition called iron poisoning. The most common safety issue with iron is its tendency to rust (corrode) when exposed to oxygen and moisture, which weakens its structure.