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Iron

Metalsolid
Symbol: Fe
Atomic number: 26
Atomic mass: 55.847
Group: Transition Metal
CAS-number: 7439-89-6

Physical data
Isotopes
Other info
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Physical data

Electronic data

Shells: 2, 8, 14, 2
Orbitals: [Ar] 3d6 4s2
Electronegativity: 1.8, 1.6
1. Ionization potential: 7.9024 eV
2. Ionization potential: 16.18 eV
3. Ionization potential: 30.651 eV
Oxidation states: 6, 3, 2, 0, -2
Electrical conductivity: 0.0993 10^6

Thermal data

Melting point: 1535 °C
Boiling point: 2861 °C
Specific heat: 0.44 J/gK
Heat of fusion: 13.80 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization: 349.60 kJ/mol
Thermal conductivity: 0.802 W/cmK

Steric data

Atomic radius: 1.72 Å
Ionic radius: 0.55 Å (+3)
Covalent radius: 1.17 Å
Atomic volume: 7.1 cm³/mol
Density (293 K): 7.86 g/cm³
Crystal structure: cubic body centered
cubic body centered

Isotopes

NuclideAbundance [%]MassSpinHalflifeDecay modeDecay tree
52Fe 0 52 0 8.28h β+, EC View
54Fe 5.82 53.9396 0 -- --
55Fe 0 54.938 3/2 2.73y EC View
56Fe 91.66 55.9349 0 -- --
57Fe 2.19 56.9354 1/2 -- --
58Fe 0.33 57.9333 0 -- --
59Fe 0 58.935 3/2 45.51d β- View
60Fe 0 60 0 1.5E06y β- View

Other info

Name origin:Anglo-Saxon: iron; symbol from Latin: ferrum (iron)
Description:Malleable, ductile, silvery-white metal. Fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust (56,300 ppm). Ninth most abundant element in the universe.
Discovered by:Known to the ancients
Year:--
Place:Unknown
Sources:Obtained from iron ores. Pure metal produced in blast furnaces by layering limestone, coke and iron ore and forcing hot gases into the bottom. This heats the coke red hot and the iron is reduced from its oxides and liquified where it flows to the top.
Use(s):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.