15 Interesting Facts About Iron

Introduction:

The first iron was known to humans as far back as 4,000 BC – and it has been used in countless ways since. It has countless applications in construction, engineering, transport and more. This stubbornly strong metal is incredibly valuable to our lives, and here are 15 interesting facts about iron.

Fact 1: Iron is the most common element on Earth

Iron is the fourth most common element found in the Earth’s crust and is the most abundant element by mass in the Earth as a whole. It is also the main component of Earth’s core, which is believed to comprise of 35% iron and 65% nickel.

Fact 2: Iron is an element but it can also be an alloy

Iron is an element which occurs naturally. It can also be an alloy, which is a mixture of iron combined with different quantities of elements like carbon, manganese, or chromium. Steel, for example, is an alloy of iron and carbon, with about 1% carbon by mass.

Fact 3: Iron has three unique magnetic properties

Iron has three unique properties related to magnetism. The first is that it can be magnetized, the second is that it has an intrinsic ability to attract other pieces of magnetized iron, and the third is that it can retain its magnetism even after being removed from the magnetic field.

Fact 4: Iron is found in a variety of everyday items

Iron is found in a variety of everyday items. From car parts to kitchen appliances, iron is a main component in almost anything made of metal. It is also used to make such items as cookware, and even high-performance tools such as saw blades.

Fact 5: Iron has been used to build great buildings and monuments

Iron is one of the most important materials to build with in history. It was used to make the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Statue of Liberty, and countless other structures and monuments that have survived to this day.

Fact 6: The production of iron became much easier with the invention of the blast furnace

The production of iron became much easier in the Middle Ages with the invention of the blast furnace. This furnace used high-temperature burning to refine ore into metal. It allowed for faster, more efficient methods of producing iron and other metals.

Fact 7: Iron is a vital component of hemoglobin

Iron is a vital component of hemoglobin, which is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without iron, the protein would not be able to do its job and the body would suffer from oxygen deprivation.

Fact 8: Iron is the second most reactive element

Iron is the second most reactive element after fluorine on the periodic table. This means it is very susceptible to oxidation and will react with water, oxygen, and other elements readily.

Fact 9: Iron is an essential nutrient for humans

Iron is an essential nutrient for humans, and consuming enough of it is crucial for good health. It helps deliver oxygen to our cells and muscles, and it is also important for making enzymes and some hormones within the body.

Fact 10: Iron can be found all over the solar system

Iron is abundant in the cosmos and can be found throughout the solar system. It is thought that it is the most common metal found in asteroids, and that it was also the most common metal in comets.

Fact 11: Magnetite is the most magnetic of all Iron oxides

Magnetite is the most magnetic of all Iron oxides, and it is created from the elements oxygen and iron. The mineral has a blackish-brown appearance and was first recognized as a magnetic material by the ancient Greeks over 2000 years ago.

Fact 12: Iron rusts more quickly in salt water than in fresh water

Iron rusts more quickly in salty water than in fresh water because salt water is a good conductor of electricity and it increases the flow of electricity throughout the metal. This enhanced electrical flow speeds up the oxidation process and causes iron to rust faster than it would in fresh water.

Fact 13: The Iron Curtain was a metaphorical and ideological boundary

The Iron Curtain was a metaphorical and ideological boundary that divided the European continent between East and West. This was a result of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, and it symbolized the rigid divisions between capitalism and communism.

Fact 14: Iron is incredibly strong yet lightweight

Iron is one of the most durable metals on the planet, yet it is also surprisingly lightweight. That is why it has been used for centuries to construct tall buildings and hard structures, as well as for items such as cars and furniture.

Fact 15: Iron can be recycled and reused

Unlike plastic or paper, iron can easily be recycled and reused because it is strong and durable. Its properties make it ideal for repurposing in endless applications which make it an incredibly valuable resource.

Conclusion

Iron is essential to modern life and has been for thousands of years. It is one of the most abundant elements in the universe, and its versatile and durable properties make it a sought-after resource. There are so many interesting facts about iron, and hopefully these 15 facts have provided some insight into this remarkable metal.