Iron

Iron is a commonly used,reactive metal.The pure metal is soft.Hence pure iron is not very suitable for making arms and other appliances.But the strength of iron can be increased by adding other metals and making alloys.Steel is made by adding  about 1.5% of carbon to iron.A special property of iron is it's attraction towards magnets.

Iron has a high density of 7900kgm-3 when compared to metals such as sodium.

  Chemical Properties Of Iron 

• When iron is exposed to oxygen of air, a reddish brown layer of the oxide is formed on the surface.This is called rusting.Rust is hydrated iron oxide. 

                    4Fe(s) +3H₂O + 3O2(g) --------> Fe2O3.XH2O(s)

• Iron wool when heated in air burns easily forming iron oxide.

                    4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) -------->Fe2O3(s)

•  When steam is sent over red-hot iron wool or iron powder,ferroso ferric oxide and H2 are formed.

                     3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) ------------>Fe3O4(s) + 4H2

• Iron reacts with dilute acids to form the salt of the acid with the release of hydrogen

                      Fe(s) + H2S04(aq) ----------->FeSO4(aq)  + H2(g)

    Uses Of Iron

Iron is used,

• In producing alloys such as steel

• In making magnets

• To increase the strength of concrete

• To make iron nails

• To make pharmaceutical drugs containing iron