Iron

Iron (Fe), is a magnetic, malleable, silvery white metallic element. The atomic number of iron is 26; iron is one of the transition elements of the periodic table.

Metallic iron was known and used for ornamental purposes and weapons in prehistoric ages; the earliest specimen still extant, a group of oxidized iron beads found in Egypt, dates from about 4000 BC. The archaeological team Iron Age properly applies only to the periods when iron was used extensively for

ornamentation. The beginning of modern processing of iron can be traced back to central Europe in the mid-

14th century BC.

Pure iron, prepared by the electrolysis of ferrous sulfare solution, has limited use. Commercial iron invariably contains small amounts of carbon and other that alter its physical properties, which are considerably improved by thew further addition of carbon and other alloying elements.

By far the greatest amount of iron is used in processed forms, such as wrought iron, cast iron, and steel. Commercially pure iron is used for the production of galvanized set metal and of electromagnets. Iron compounds are employed for medicinal purposes in the treatment of anemia, when the amount of haemoglobin or the number of red blood corpuscles in the blood is lowered. Iron is also used in tonics.