# data[].attributes.body
Atomic Symbol: Fe

Atomic #: 26

# data[].attributes.body
Protons: 26

Neutrons: 30

Electrons: 26

# data[].attributes.body
4/4, This website dedicates every month to a new element, going through everything about that element. They have no sources, and do not get paid.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hemoglobin is a tetramer that consists of four polypeptide chains. Each monomer contains a heme group in which an iron ion is bound to oxygen. In iron-deficiency anemia, the heart works harder to pump more oxygen through the body, which often leads to heart failure or disease.We are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mendeleev's periodic table by highlighting one or more chemical elements with important biological functions each month in 2019. For January, we featured atomic No. 1 and dissected hydrogen's role in oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemical gradients as driving energy force for cellular growth and activity.

In February, we have selected iron, the most abundant element on Earth, with chemical symbol Fe (from the Latin word "ferrum") and atomic number 26.

A neutral iron atom contains 26 protons and 30 neutrons plus 26 electrons in four different shells around the nucleus. As with other transition metals, a variable number of electrons from iron's two outermost shells are available to combine with other elements. Commonly, iron uses two (oxidation state +2) or three (oxidation state +3) of its available electrons to form compounds, although iron oxidation states ranging from -2 to +7 are present in nature.

Iron occurs naturally in the known universe. It is produced abundantly in the core of massive stars by the fusion of chromium and helium at extremely high temperatures. Each of these supergiant, iron-containing stars only lives for a brief while before violently blasting as a supernova, scattering iron into space and onto rocky planets like Earth. Iron is present in the Earth's crust, core and mantle, where it makes up about 35 percent of the planet's total mass.

Iron is crucial to the survival of all living organisms. Biological systems are exposed constantly to high concentrations of iron in igneous and sedimentary rocks. Microorganisms can uptake iron from the environment by secreting iron-chelating molecules called siderophores or via membrane-bound proteins that reduce Fe+3 (ferric iron) to a more soluble Fe+2 (ferrous iron) for intracellular transport. Plants also use sequestration and reduction mechanisms to acquire iron from the rhizosphere, whereas animals obtain iron from dietary sources.

Once inside cells, iron associates with carrier proteins and with iron-dependent enzymes. Carrier proteins called ferritins (present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes) store, transport and safely release iron in areas of need, preventing excess free radicals generated by high-energy iron. Iron-dependent enzymes include bacterial nitrogenases, which contain iron-sulfur clusters that catalyze the reduction of nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) in a process called nitrogen fixation. This process is essential to life on Earth, because it's required for all forms of life for the biosynthesis of nucleotides and amino acids.

Some iron-binding proteins contain heme - a porphyrin ring coordinated with an iron ion. Heme proteins include cytochromes, catalase and hemoglobin. In cytochromes, iron acts as a single-electron shuttle facilitating oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis reactions for energy and nutrients. Catalase iron mediates the conversion of harmful hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water, protecting cells from oxidative damage. In vertebrates, the Fe+2 in hemoglobin is reversibly oxidized to Fe+3, allowing the binding, storage and transport of oxygen throughout the body until it is required for energy production by metabolic oxidation of glucose.

Living organisms have adapted to the abundance and availability of iron, incorporating it into biomolecules to perform metal-facilitated functions essential for life in all ecosystems.

A year of (bio)chemical elements

Read the whole series:
For January, it's atomic No. 1 For February, it's iron - atomic No. 26 For March, it's a renal three-fer: sodium, potassium and chlorine For April, it's copper - atomic No. 29 For May, it's in your bones: calcium and phosphorus For June and July, it's atomic Nos. 6 and 7 Breathe deep - for August, it's oxygen Manganese seldom travels alone For October, magnesium helps the leaves stay green For November, it's that smell of sulfur Rounding out the year with nickel and zinc

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To mark the second month of the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements, Quira Zeidan writes about iron, the most abundant element on earth.

# data[].attributes.body
Ferrous Sulfate is used as a reducing agent, and also used in the production of inks, fertilizers, and pesticides. 2/4, This website has many sources but you have to pay to see a lot of stuff.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The most important oxidation states of iron are +2 and +3, though a number of +4 and +6 states are known. For the element iron the trends in the relative stabilities of oxidation states among elements of the first transition series are continued, except that there is no compound or chemically important circumstance in which the oxidation state of iron is equal to the total number of its valence-shell electrons, eight; the highest known oxidation state is +6, which is rare and unimportant. Even the +3 oxidation state, which is important at the position of chromium in the periodic table, loses ground to the +2 state at the position of iron. Compounds of iron in the +2 state are designated ferrous and contain the pale green Fe ²⁺ ion or complex ions. Compounds of iron in the +3 state are called ferric and contain the Fe ³⁺ ion (which is yellow to orange to brown, depending on the extent of hydrolysis) or complex ions.

Three oxygen compounds of iron are known: ferrous oxide, FeO; ferric oxide, Fe ₂O ₃; and ferrosoferric oxide, or ferroferric oxide, Fe ₃O ₄, which contains iron in both +2 and +3 oxidation states. Ferrous oxide is a greenish to black powder used primarily as a pigment for glasses. It occurs in nature as the mineral wuestite and it can be prepared by heating a ferrous compound in the absence of air or by passing hydrogen over ferric oxide. Ferric oxide is a reddish-brown to black powder that occurs naturally as the mineral hematite. It can be produced synthetically by igniting virtually any ferrous compound in air. Ferric oxide is the basis of a series of pigments ranging from yellow to a red known as Venetian red. The finely powdered red form, often called jewelers' rouge, is used for polishing precious metals and diamonds, as well as in cosmetics. Ferric oxide forms a number of hydrates with variable structures and compositions. A common form is iron rust, produced by the combined action of moisture, carbon dioxide, and oxygen in the air on metallic iron. This process occurs in two steps: first, iron dissolves in the acid solution produced by the moisture and the carbon dioxide of the air, to form ferrous iron and liberate hydrogen; second, oxygen from the air oxidizes the ferrous iron to form hydrated ferric oxide. Ferrosoferric oxide occurs as the mineral magnetite in the form of magnetic, black or red-black crystals. It is prepared by passing steam over red-hot iron. The oxide is widely employed in ferrites, substances with high magnetic permeability and high electrical resistivity used in certain computer memories and coatings for magnetic tape. It is also used as a pigment and a polishing agent.

The action of sulfuric acid on iron results in the formation of two sulfur compounds: ferrous sulfate, FeSO ₄, which is commonly available as the heptahydrate FeSO ₄∙7H ₂O; and ferric sulfate, Fe ₂(SO ₄) ₃. Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, known in commerce as green vitriol, or copperas, is obtained as a by-product of industrial processes using iron ores that have been treated with sulfuric acid. It serves as a starting material for the manufacture of various other ferrous compounds and as a reducing agent. It is also employed in making inks, fertilizers, and pesticides and for iron electroplating. Ferric sulfate is produced on a large scale by adding sulfuric acid and an oxidizing agent (e.g., nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide) to a hot solution of ferrous sulfate. It is used to make iron alums and other ferric compounds; as a coagulant in water purification and sewage treatment; and as a mordant (fixative) in textile dyeing and printing.

With chlorine, iron forms another group of industrially important compounds: ferrous chloride, FeCl ₂; and ferric chloride, FeCl ₃. Ferrous chloride is obtained as yellow-green deliquescent (moisture-absorbing) crystals by passing dry hydrogen chloride gas over red-hot iron. It also can be prepared in hydrated form, FeCl ₂∙4H ₂O, by dissolving metallic iron in hydrochloric acid. It is used in the dye industry as a mordant and as a reducing agent. Ferric chloride is generally prepared from ferrous chloride through the action of chloride or nitric acid. It is used to make many other ferric compounds and as a chlorinating agent for silver, copper, and some organic compounds. Treating a solution of Fe ³⁺ with the complex hexacyanoferrate ion, [Fe(CN ₆)] 4−, yields a deep blue precipitate called Prussian blue. This pigment has a slight reddish tint and is employed in paints, enamels, and lacquers.

A number of iron compounds have been found medically useful. For example, ferrous gluconate, Fe(C ₆H ₁₁O ₇) ₂∙2H ₂O, and ferric pyrophosphate, Fe ₄(P ₂O ₇) ₃∙ xH ₂O, are among the compounds frequently used to treat anemia. Various ferric salts, which act as coagulants, are applied to wounds to promote healing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Iron - Compounds, Allotropes, Reactions: The most important oxidation states of iron are +2 and +3, though a number of +4 and +6 states are known.

# data[].attributes.body
Iron has been known for an extremely long time.

Iron was first used to make spearheads and trinkets for selling among tribes. The first ever iron casting was a frog, made by a tribe from Egypt. The Hittites from Egypt were the first to discover iron. About 35% of Earth's iron is found in its core. 4/4, gives great information about all of Iron's history. Has sources cited, and is a nonprofit website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever wondered about the history of iron casting? When did ancient man first dream of making objects out of molten metal? Even the best historians, archeologists and scientists may never truly know. But perhaps that's why history is so intriguing.
The world's first castings
Some historians believe that iron casting began in ancient China as early as 6000 BCE while others believe that only copper and bronze castings were being made at this time. However, evidence provided by archeologists contradicts both beliefs. Discovered by archeologists in what was then known as Mesopotamia, the earliest uncovered example of a cast component is a copper frog that dates to 3200 BCE. Although iron and other metals had been discovered, it was not until centuries later that they could be melted and poured into a mold, such as a casting.

Archeologists believe that iron was discovered by the Hittites of ancient Egypt somewhere between 5000 and 3000 BCE. During this time, they hammered or pounded the metal to create tools and weapons. They found and extracted it from meteorites and used the ore to make spearheads, tools and other trinkets. Between 2000 BCE and 1200 BCE, the Hittites developed a process for smelting the iron - heating its ore to purify it - expanding its usability. For centuries, the production of iron remained a closely-held secret of the Hittite people until roughly 1000 BCE when Chinese metallurgists discovered the superiority and workability of iron.
Iron casting takes root in China
Some of the earliest examples of iron casting in ancient China are the four statues that stand outside of the Zhongyue Temple in Dengfeng. These statues were cast in approximately 1024 BCE. Before this, Chinese metallurgists worked with bronze and copper to create cast components, which were largely used in the country's agricultural industry. It was revolutionized when the iron plow was invented. It made turning over the soil much easier for farmers.

One of the biggest impacts that China had on the evolution of iron casting occurred in 645 BCE when Chinese metallurgists began using sand molding. In this process, sand is tightly packed around an object, creating a mold. Then molten metal is poured into the mold to create a metal casting. The advantage of this process is the large variety of shapes and sizes that can be easily molded. The disadvantages are the unavoidability of defects and the fact that this process is quite labor intensive. This is the earliest known use of this process and represents China's significant contribution to the history of iron casting.
The invention of the blast furnace
Another Chinese innovation was the blast furnace. It is used to smelt industrial metals, usually pig iron, a low-quality, brittle form of iron with high carbon content. It must be refined before it can be used to make steel. The term blast refers to the hot combustion air that is forced into the lower part of the furnace through pipes called tuyeres as fuel is supplied from the top.

The oldest blast furnaces discovered by archaeologists date back to the Han Dynasty of China in the 1st century BCE. Blast furnace usage did not expand to Europe until the 1100s. Sweden was the first to adopt the blast furnace, followed by France and Belgium in the 1300s, and England in 1491.
Iron casting expands into Europe
Additionally, in the 1400s, iron casting was introduced into Europe. The earliest evidence of cast products in Europe is a cast iron pipe used to transport water at the Dillenberg Castle in Germany. It was cast in 1455. Soon after this, in Burgundy, France, and England, cast iron was also used to make cannons during the Reformation of the 16 th century.
America's first ironworks
In 1619, the first ironworks was established in North America by the Virginia Company of London. It was named Falling Creek Ironworks and was located near the James River. The colonists chose this location not only because of nearby ore deposits but also because it provided easy access to water for power and for shipping-related needs. The surviving written records indicate that this facility was able to produce some iron. But historians believe that full production was never achieved.

In 1642, Saugus Iron Works, America's first iron foundry, was established near Lynn, Massachusetts. This was also the location where the first American iron casting, the Saugus pot, was made. Saugus Iron Works is now a national historic site, because of its landmark contribution to the manufacturing industry and the American industrial revolution.
Britain's early iron manufacturing efforts
Between 1700 and 1750, Britain relied heavily on cast iron imports from Sweden, because it could not expand its capacity fast enough to meet the growing demand for cast iron. This was prior to Britain's industrial revolution. At that time, the iron manufacturing industry consisted of small, localized production facilities that had to be located close to the resources they needed, such as water, limestone and charcoal. That's because there were limited resources for transporting raw materials and finished goods.

At this time, furnaces were small, which meant that their production capacity was very limited. Although Britain had abundant iron ore reserves, the iron that could be produced from it was brittle pig iron of low quality with many impurities, which were caused by charcoal-fueled blast furnaces.

As a result, cast iron's usability was very limited. Most of the demand was for wrought iron, which was pig iron after its impurities were hammered out. But this took a long time to do, and imported wrought iron was less expensive. As a result, British iron at this time was only used for cheap items such as nails. However, iron would soon become the cornerstone of industrialization for the British economy, and by 1800, its leading export.
Innovations drive iron casting in Britain
Iron's great impact on Britain can be attributed to a flurry of innovations that were introduced during the 1700s. The first of these occurred in 1709 when Abraham Darby became the first man to smelt iron with coke instead of charcoal in a coke-fired furnace. Coke is a solid fuel that is created by heating coal in the absence of air and is a key element in the history of iron casting.

Coke was much cheaper and more efficient than charcoal. With the introduction of coke, it became possible and lucrative to use larger furnaces, which enabled larger-scale production. Charcoal was too weak to support a heavy charge of iron in large quantities, but coke was much stronger. Although the challenge of brittle iron had not yet been solved, Darby's innovation had a big impact on the industry and inspired many other advancements.

The next innovation in the iron casting history was the steam engine. It was invented in 1712 by an Englishman named Thomas Newcomen. At this time, the steam engine was primarily used to pump water out of coal mines. Coal was a key part of the iron casting process, so this invention was integral to the industry and to the industrialization of England.

Between 1770 and 1790, Scottish inventor James Watt improved on Thomas Newcomen's work, making the steam engine capable of powering machinery, locomotives and ships. This further advanced the industry's speed and ability to transport raw materials and finished goods.

James Watt's breakthrough happened when he realized that the design of the steam engine wasted a great deal of energy because it repeatedly cooled and re-heated the cylinder. Watt introduced a design enhancement, the separate condenser, which avoided this waste of energy and radically improved the power, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of steam engines.

Eventually, Watt adapted his engine to revolutionize transportation, which had been a major limiting factor for growth within the iron manufacturing industry. Material transportation was finally made efficient and more economical than ever.
The invention of the rolling technique
In 1783, Henry Cort developed two methods for extracting impurities from iron, turning it from pig iron to wrought iron, and allowing large-scale production of non-brittle iron.

Pig iron is a term used to describe the crude and brittle iron that comes directly from the blast furnace. In 1783, Cort patented grooved rollers that allowed iron bars to be made more quickly with a more economic process he called the rolling technique. Previously used methods consisted of hammering or cutting strips from a rolled plate.

In 1784, Cort patented the puddling process, which consisted of stirring molten pig iron on the bed of a furnace in which fire and hot gases swirling above the metal provide heat. This prevented the metal from coming in contact with the fuel. The circulating gases enabled the removal of carbon from the iron.

As the iron was decarbonized by air, it became thicker and balls of "puddled" iron could be removed from the more liquid impurities that remained in the furnace. Puddled iron, like wrought iron, was tougher and more malleable than pig iron and could be hammered and finished with the grooved rollers that Cort had invented. The rollers helped to squeeze out impurities. Additionally, by forming the iron into bars, the metal became easier to use for the creation of finished goods.

Cort's contributions to the industry allowed large-scale production of cast iron products because it no longer took so much time and manpower to rid the pig iron of its impurities.
Britain becomes Europe's largest producer of ironworks
Between 1793 and 1815, due to increased demand from the military, British iron production quadrupled. The sizes of blast furnaces increased, and Britain finally had production capabilities that could meet demand.

However, in 1815, the War of 1812 ended, ushering in a period of peace. With the war's end came the decline of both the price and demand for iron. However, Britain had become the largest producer of ironworks in all of Europe. In addition, its economy and way of life were totally reshaped and revolutionized by innovations in iron casting.

Works Cited

Cast Iron in Ancient China. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://iron-foundry.com/cast-iron-in-ancient-china.html.

Bell, Terence. "The History of Steel." The Balance. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.thebalance.com/steel-history-2340172.

"Blast Furnace." Blast_furnace. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://www.chemeurope.com/en/encyclopedia/Blast_furnace.html.

"Blast Furnace." Wikipedia. April 08, 2019. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blast_furnace#cite_note-2.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Electric Furnace." Encyclopædia Britannica. July 01, 2008. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/technology/electric-furnace.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Cast Iron." Encyclopædia Britannica. August 04, 2016. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/technology/cast-iron.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Bessemer Process." Encyclopædia Britannica. June 20, 2016. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/technology/Bessemer-process.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Bessemer Process." Encyclopædia Britannica. June 20, 2016. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/technology/Bessemer-process.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Henry Cort." Encyclopædia Britannica. January 01, 2019. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Cort.

"Casting Process - Advantages and Limitations." ME Mechanical. August 10, 2017. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://me-mechanicalengineering.com/casting-process-advantages-and-limitations/

Cort.", "Henry. "Henry Cort." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2019. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/science-and-technology/metallurgy-and-mining-biographies/henry-cort.

"Ductile Iron." Wikipedia. March 27, 2019. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ductile_iron.

"Electric Arc Furnace." Wikipedia. January 20, 2019. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_arc_furnace.

"Falling Creek Ironworks." Wikipedia. February 23, 2019. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falling_Creek_Ironworks.

Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. "Electric Arc Furnace." Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. July 09, 2013. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/5885/electric-arc-furnace.

Nasmyth, James. JAMES NASMYTH His Autobiography: Chapter 11 Bridgewater Foundry - Partnership. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://www.anvilfire.com/21centbs/stories/James_Nasmyth/jn11.htm.

"Industrial Metal Casting,Metal Castings,Casting Furnaces,Casting Equipments Manufacturer,Supplier,Exporter." Industrial Metal Casting,Metal Castings,Casting Furnaces,Casting Equipments Manufacturer,Supplier,Exporter. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://www.industrialmetalcastings.com/.

"Inventions & People of Cast Iron History." House Copper & Cookware. May 03, 2018. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://housecopper.com/2018/05/inventions-people-of-cast-iron-history/.

"Iron." How Products Are Made. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Iron.html.

"Iron Age China." Wikipedia. September 30, 2018. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Age_China.

"James Nasmyth: Engineer; An Autobiography Part 16 Online." Https://novelonlinefull.com/. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://novelonlinefull.com/chapter/james_nasmyth_engineer_an_autobiography/chapter_16.

Kinematics. "The Metal Casting Process Explained." General Kinematics. October 04, 2018. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/metal-casting-process-explained/.

Revolvy, LLC. ""James Watt" on Revolvy.com." Revolvy. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.revolvy.com/page/James-Watt.

Revolvy, LLC. ""Robert Forester Mushet" on Revolvy.com." Revolvy. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.revolvy.com/topic/Robert Forester Mushet&item_type=topic.

"The History of Cast Iron - You Need to Know." Cast Iron Manufacturers in India - Bengal Iron Corporation. September 24, 2018. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.bicindia.com/the-history-of-cast-iron/.

Turkeli, Altan. "History Of Metal Casting." http://mimoza.marmara.edu.tr/~altan.turkeli/files/cpt-1-history_of_metal_cast.

A PDF of slides demonstrating the history of metal casting, created by a professor a foundry technology class

"When Did the Industrial Revolution Start? Key Dates and Timeline." History Hit. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.historyhit.com/when-did-the-industrial-revolution-start-key-dates-and-timeline/.

Wilde, Robert. "The Role of Iron in the Industrial Revolution." ThoughtCo. July 08, 2018. Accessed April 08, 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/iron-in-the-industrial-revolution-1221637.

Wrexham County Borough Council, and Wrexham. "John Wilkinson - His Impact and Legacy." John Wilkinson & Bersham Ironworks - John Wilkinson - His Impact and Legacy - WCBC. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/bersham_ironworks/impact_legacy.htm.

Yap, and Min Choo. "Investigation of Ductile Iron in Mold Treatment Process Parameter." UMP Institutional Repository. November 01, 2009. Accessed April 08, 2019. http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/1075/.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The history of iron casting part 1 - The C.A. Lawton Co.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have you ever wondered about the history of iron casting? When did ancient man first dream of making objects out of molten metal? Even the best historians, archeologists and scientists may never truly know. But perhaps that's why history is so intriguing.

# data[].attributes.body
Hematite is a heavy oxide metal. It derives from the Greek word that means blood, because of its usual reddish color. It is used to make jewelry, polishing, for heavy media separation, to produce pigments and put in homes for positive energy. 4/4, Brittanica is a highly used research website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This article was most recently revised and updated by

hematite, also spelled haematite, heavy and relatively hard oxide mineral, ferric oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃), that constitutes the most important iron ore because of its high iron content (70 percent) and its abundance. Its name is derived from the Greek word for "blood," in allusion to its red colour. Many of the various forms of hematite have separate names. The steel-gray crystals and coarse-grained varieties have a brilliant metallic lustre and are known as specular iron ore; thin scaly types are called micaceous hematite. Much hematite occurs in a soft, fine-grained, earthy form called red ochre or ruddle. Intermediate between these types are compact varieties, often with a reniform surface (kidney ore) or a fibrous structure (pencil ore). Red ochre is used as a paint pigment; a purified form, rouge, is used to polish plate glass.

The most important deposits of hematite are sedimentary in origin. The world's largest production (nearly 75 million tons of hematite annually) comes from a sedimentary deposit in the Lake Superior district in North America. Other important deposits include those at Minas Gerais, Brazil (where the hematite occurs in metamorphosed sediments); Cerro Bolívar, Venezuela; and Labrador and Quebec, Canada. Hematite is found as an accessory mineral in many igneous rocks; commonly as a weathering product of siderite, magnetite, and other iron minerals; and almost universally as a pigmenting agent of sedimentary and other rocks. For detailed physical properties, see oxide mineral (table).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Adam Augustyn.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hematite, heavy and relatively hard oxide mineral, ferric oxide, that constitutes the most important iron ore because of its high iron content (70 percent) and its abundance. Its name is derived from the Greek word for 'blood,' in allusion to its red color. Learn more about hematite in this article.

# data[].attributes.body
Ferrous oxide is a greenish-to-black powder used primarily as a pigment for glasses. It occurs in nature as the mineral wuestite and it can be prepared by heating a ferrous compound.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Iron(II) oxide or ferrous oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula FeO. Its mineral form is known as wüstite. One of several iron oxides, it is a black-colored powder that is sometimes confused with rust, the latter of which consists of hydrated iron(III) oxide (ferric oxide).

# data[].attributes.body
Iron oxide is basically just rust, it dissolves metal and can cause things to get old and hard due to chemical reactions. 4/4, same website as the other two.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The most important oxidation states of iron are +2 and +3, though a number of +4 and +6 states are known. For the element iron the trends in the relative stabilities of oxidation states among elements of the first transition series are continued, except that there is no compound or chemically important circumstance in which the oxidation state of iron is equal to the total number of its valence-shell electrons, eight; the highest known oxidation state is +6, which is rare and unimportant. Even the +3 oxidation state, which is important at the position of chromium in the periodic table, loses ground to the +2 state at the position of iron. Compounds of iron in the +2 state are designated ferrous and contain the pale green Fe ²⁺ ion or complex ions. Compounds of iron in the +3 state are called ferric and contain the Fe ³⁺ ion (which is yellow to orange to brown, depending on the extent of hydrolysis) or complex ions.

Three oxygen compounds of iron are known: ferrous oxide, FeO; ferric oxide, Fe ₂O ₃; and ferrosoferric oxide, or ferroferric oxide, Fe ₃O ₄, which contains iron in both +2 and +3 oxidation states. Ferrous oxide is a greenish to black powder used primarily as a pigment for glasses. It occurs in nature as the mineral wuestite and it can be prepared by heating a ferrous compound in the absence of air or by passing hydrogen over ferric oxide. Ferric oxide is a reddish-brown to black powder that occurs naturally as the mineral hematite. It can be produced synthetically by igniting virtually any ferrous compound in air. Ferric oxide is the basis of a series of pigments ranging from yellow to a red known as Venetian red. The finely powdered red form, often called jewelers' rouge, is used for polishing precious metals and diamonds, as well as in cosmetics. Ferric oxide forms a number of hydrates with variable structures and compositions. A common form is iron rust, produced by the combined action of moisture, carbon dioxide, and oxygen in the air on metallic iron. This process occurs in two steps: first, iron dissolves in the acid solution produced by the moisture and the carbon dioxide of the air, to form ferrous iron and liberate hydrogen; second, oxygen from the air oxidizes the ferrous iron to form hydrated ferric oxide. Ferrosoferric oxide occurs as the mineral magnetite in the form of magnetic, black or red-black crystals. It is prepared by passing steam over red-hot iron. The oxide is widely employed in ferrites, substances with high magnetic permeability and high electrical resistivity used in certain computer memories and coatings for magnetic tape. It is also used as a pigment and a polishing agent.

The action of sulfuric acid on iron results in the formation of two sulfur compounds: ferrous sulfate, FeSO ₄, which is commonly available as the heptahydrate FeSO ₄∙7H ₂O; and ferric sulfate, Fe ₂(SO ₄) ₃. Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, known in commerce as green vitriol, or copperas, is obtained as a by-product of industrial processes using iron ores that have been treated with sulfuric acid. It serves as a starting material for the manufacture of various other ferrous compounds and as a reducing agent. It is also employed in making inks, fertilizers, and pesticides and for iron electroplating. Ferric sulfate is produced on a large scale by adding sulfuric acid and an oxidizing agent (e.g., nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide) to a hot solution of ferrous sulfate. It is used to make iron alums and other ferric compounds; as a coagulant in water purification and sewage treatment; and as a mordant (fixative) in textile dyeing and printing.

With chlorine, iron forms another group of industrially important compounds: ferrous chloride, FeCl ₂; and ferric chloride, FeCl ₃. Ferrous chloride is obtained as yellow-green deliquescent (moisture-absorbing) crystals by passing dry hydrogen chloride gas over red-hot iron. It also can be prepared in hydrated form, FeCl ₂∙4H ₂O, by dissolving metallic iron in hydrochloric acid. It is used in the dye industry as a mordant and as a reducing agent. Ferric chloride is generally prepared from ferrous chloride through the action of chloride or nitric acid. It is used to make many other ferric compounds and as a chlorinating agent for silver, copper, and some organic compounds. Treating a solution of Fe ³⁺ with the complex hexacyanoferrate ion, [Fe(CN ₆)] 4−, yields a deep blue precipitate called Prussian blue. This pigment has a slight reddish tint and is employed in paints, enamels, and lacquers.

A number of iron compounds have been found medically useful. For example, ferrous gluconate, Fe(C ₆H ₁₁O ₇) ₂∙2H ₂O, and ferric pyrophosphate, Fe ₄(P ₂O ₇) ₃∙ xH ₂O, are among the compounds frequently used to treat anemia. Various ferric salts, which act as coagulants, are applied to wounds to promote healing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Iron - Compounds, Allotropes, Reactions: The most important oxidation states of iron are +2 and +3, though a number of +4 and +6 states are known.

# data[].attributes.body
Happens when steam goes over red hot iron, and forms in clumps. Is redish gold, and has no real strong purpose.

4/4, same website

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Other articles where ferrosoferric oxide is discussed: iron: Compounds: Ferrosoferric oxide occurs as the mineral magnetite in the form of magnetic, black or red-black crystals. It is prepared by passing steam over red-hot iron. The oxide is widely employed in ferrites, substances with high magnetic permeability and high electrical resistivity used in certain computer...

# data[].attributes.body
Iron has magnetic properties, therefore allowing for a magnetic pull to be created. When iron atoms align in a certain way, it creates a magnetic field. 3/4 sources, non profit but is allowed to be edited by anyone

# data[].attributes.body
Iron is used in cars to make the frame strong and able to withold a lot of weight.

# data[].attributes.body
Steel is made into stainless steel, and placed on the doors of fridges in order to give it a smooth surface than can be near cold temperatures.

# data[].attributes.body
Forks, Knives, and Spoons are all often made of iron. There is an abundance of it, and it is relatively easy to form into shapes. Not too heavy either

# data[].attributes.body
Iron is extremely hard and strong, which allows construction companies to use machinery that is made primarily of iron. This helps ensure the safety and quality of the job, because of iron.

# data[].attributes.body
Popular source, based in Minnesota with good info. 3/4

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Every day, in nearly every facet of life, we use products created by Minnesota's iron mining industry.

The Iron Mining History
First mined in northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range in 1884, iron mining and, thereby, steel production in the United States has long-played (and continues to play) a vital role in every individual's life.

America (and the World) Is Built from Iron
From vehicles and appliances to the construction of commercial buildings and residential homes, to the transportation and agriculture industries to national defense, power generation, and the equipment needed to manufacture these and other items, iron ore is essential.

"Americans are at our best when we're making stuff," says Duluth Seaport Authority President Vanta Coda. "And we can't make stuff without iron ore."

Here are 10 things you use every day that couldn't exist without iron and steel:

Additional facts about the role of steel your everyday life (from the American Iron and Steel Institute):

Every American born will need 27,416 pounds of iron in their lifetime.

One-and-a half to two million tons of steel is shipped to the appliance, utensil, and cutlery market in the United States annually.

Electric motors are made of iron - powering our homes, appliances, and industry.

Steel hinges on refrigerators can support more than 140 pounds of door weight without sagging.

On average 75% of the weight of a typical household appliance comes from steel.

Minnesota's iron mines account for 80% of "first pour" steel in the U.S. (The first time iron is made into steel - not yet recycled). First pour steel must be used in certain situations where recycled still will not work due to its physical properties (it is more malleable).

Still, more than 90% of iron and steel is recycled - more than any other recycled material.

To learn more about the role of the iron and steel in your everyday life, read more here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 things you use every day made from Minnesota Iron - Minnesota Iron

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every day, in nearly every facet of life, we use products created by Minnesota's iron mining industry. The Iron Mining History First mined in northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range in 1884, iron mining and, thereby, steel production in the United States has long-played (and continues to play) a vital role in every individual's life.