Iron is a versatile metal that has been used for centuries, and is a vital trace element for human health. It is identified by the symbol Fe, and is often found in alloys. Iron is magnetic and can be found in minerals and meteorites. It is important for human health, but too much can cause poisoning.
Iron is a metallic chemical element that has been used by man for centuries. Metal has played such an important role in human history that an entire era, the Iron Age, is named after it. It has numerous industrial uses, with the metal often appearing in alloys, and is also considered a trace element vital to human health. You likely interact with iron in numerous alloys and forms every day, as the element is a ubiquitous part of life on Earth.
Pure iron is a very lustrous, silvery white metal. It is extremely malleable and ductile, which is why it has been used by humans for so long, as it does not require complex technologies to work with. The metal is identified by the symbol Fe on the periodic table of elements, and has the atomic number 26. Alloys that contain iron or behave like it are called ferrous metals, referring to the Latin ferrum.
This metallic element is usually magnetic, although it can also be demagnetized. Since iron will remain magnetized even after a magnetic object is removed from its vicinity, it is considered ferromagnetic. Different metals demonstrate this property and have many useful qualities; not least as refrigerator magnets. The magnetic properties of this metal have been a useful tool in studying Earth’s history, as ancient particles in rock aligned in different directions over thousands of years, reflecting changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.
On Earth, iron does not appear in pure form; it can be found in compounds with other rocks known as minerals. These ores must be treated in furnaces to extract usable metal and other materials. Occasionally, it appears in meteorites and other objects that originate from outer space; many early humans had deep superstitions about “star iron,” as it can come from the heavens rather than be taken from Earth. Iron smelting is an important industry, as the metal is used in so many items.
Humans and many other living organisms require this element for well-being. Dietary iron is found in red meat, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, beans, nuts and seeds. A deficiency can lead to anemia, a serious medical condition. Too much can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other symptoms; iron poisoning in children is a problem in some regions, usually because children eat supplement pills meant for adults.
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