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Fun & Interesting Facts About Iron

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Iron is considered to be the 10^th most abundant element in the universe! Did you know that our sun and other stars have iron in them? It is also the forth most plentiful element on earth. It is rarely found by itself. Almost always it has to be removed from other elements. When iron is combined with certain elements, it creates a stronger kind including production steel and iron ore.

Description

Iron is a relatively soft metal when it is in its pure form. It has a white to silver appearance. It is unknown who discovered it but it is documented that the Egyptians used iron around 4000 BC. Its name is actually from the Latin language, ferrum. Iron is highly rust able.

History

Iron was used to India to construct the Pillar of Delhi. It has stood the test of times being in the elements for over 1600 years, and it has not been affected by rust. The early prehistoric men even used iron. There source of iron was from meteorites. There was even a time period that was named after iron, The Iron Age. Where iron was worked with other metals to create weapons are other items.

Other Use

Iron is not only found in the earth and used for construction and other objects. It is also found in blood. Actually nearly every creature on earth has iron in its body. It is used in the body with red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the cells. It is also found in muscles and other organs. When your body is low on iron you may start to notice something is not right. You could be sleepy, grumpy, impaired immune system, and shortness of breath.

Interesting Facts

Did you know that within the human body, there is enough iron to make a nail? When alloyed with other metals iron makes cast iron, pig iron and steel. Since iron rust so easily, it is necessary to coat the iron with either paint or a coating of some kind. Even when the iron is alloyed with other metals.

History of Iron

1. Who Discovered Iron?