by Danna Martínez
Iron is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust. It ranks fourth with a 5% share. From healthcare to industry, this element has contributed enormously to society.
Iron is also chemically defined as Fe. This is due to its etymological origin, “Ferrum .”It is found in Group VIII, Period 4 of the periodic table. This element has an atomic mass of 55.6. Furthermore, iron is recognized by the symbol Fe (from the Latin Ferrum).
Iron is part of many minerals in nature. It is a malleable metal, which offers high density and extreme hardness. It also has a significant magnetic property. Its silvery gray color characterizes iron.
Iron is a necessary element in the human body as it produces the proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. These proteins carry oxygen to our body. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. On the other hand, myoglobin is found in muscles.
In the same way, iron provides essential contributions to the body as growth and development. If the body does not have the necessary iron, there would be alterations or side effects. Some effects are the feeling of tiredness and difficulty in breathing properly.
However, iron is not only necessary in the field of health. Iron has had a significant impact on the industry over time. This element was fundamental in the creations of machinery, constructions, and different buildings. The time when iron had a tremendous reach and popularity was in the Iron Age. The Iron Age was one of the stages of the Metal Age. This age ranges between 1500 and 550 BC. During this period, man discovered and made known the use of iron. The property of high malleability of this body was ideal for the manufacture of weapons and tools. Thanks to this stage, the man was able to recognize and explore the benefits of iron. Consequently, the man began to improve his lifestyle significantly.
The iron has been the cause of inventions throughout time. It is one of the most widely used hard metals. Pure iron, which is 99.5% pure, is used to make steel and cast iron alloys. It also has other physicochemical properties. One of them allows iron to be combined with other materials of Metallic and Non-Metallic origin.
Even today, iron plays a fundamental role in industry and technology. It is frequently used in the Automotive Industry, Technology Industry, Naval Industry in the creation of Ships. It is also used in the elaboration of Building Structures.
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