A Study of Iron

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Iron is an important element to the scientific community, especially those involved in the branch of chemistry. Consequently, humans rely on iron for many different things. Iron is diverse from all other elements with regards to its natural occurrence, historic and contemporary uses, the origin of its name, and when, how, where, and by whom it was discovered. It also has unique characteristic physical and chemical properties. Without the discovery, and distinctive properties of iron, life on Earth would never be the same as it is now.
Iron occurs naturally throughout the universe in abundance. It is found in places such as stars, including the sun, and is distinguishable in soil and dissolved in groundwater and the ocean in small amounts. It is the fourth most occurring element in the earth’s crust (making up about 5% of the weight), and is also believed to be a main element in the earth’s core. It is found in the Earth’s hydrosphere. Iron is seldom found uncombined in its natural state, with the exception of meteorites, however iron ores and minerals are copious and broadly dispersed. Examples of where its ores are found include white sand, and a crystalline gold-coloured mineral commonly known as fool’s gold. The names of some of iron’s common ores are hematite, limonite, siderite, taconite, magnetite, iron pyrite, chromite, and lodestone. Iron is also found in hemoglobin in the human body to carry oxygen in the blood stream. Overall, iron is a very abundant element in nature that helps to form important factors for life.
Iron was introduced throughout the world in what was later deemed the “Iron Age.” The documented approximate date of the beginning of the usage of iron is 1800 BC, though some evidence points to usage as ea...

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