Periodic Table ~ iron ~ Element ~ CAS 7439-89-6

iron

Name	iron
Symbol	Fe
Atomic Weight	55.845
Atomic Number	26
CAS ID	7439-89-6
Group Number	8
Group Name	(none)
Period Number	4
Origin of Name	Anglo-Saxon, iron; Latin, ferrum.
Year Discovered	Prehistoric.
Discovery Credits	Known to ancient civilizations.
Class	Metallic
Color	Lustrous, metallic, grayish tinge
Standard State	Solid at 77 F & 298 K
Description	When pure, iron is lustrous, and soft (workable). Most important of all metals, used principally as steel alloys. Rusts in damp air, dissolves in dilute acids. Diagnostic tests: The borax bead test in the oxidizing flame gives yellow to brownish red color while hot and is colorless to yellow when cold. Reducing flame gives a bottle green color. A magnetic mass is obtained if the mineral is powdered, mixed with soda (Na₂CO₃), and fused in a reducing flame (Note, cobalt and nickel also yield magnetic masses). In solution, iron will precipitate as Fe(OH)₃ when excess amounts of NH₄OH are added.