Zinc
By: Micaela Dalia
Basic Information
- Atomic Number: 30
- Group: 12
- Atomic Weight: 65.38
- Symbol: Zn
- Classification: Metallic
- Period: 4
Properties
- Solid state
- Non-toxic
- Density of 7140 kg
Its History
- Discovered by Andreas Marggraf in 1746 in Germany
- Also found in a brass dating back to 1400-1000 BC in Palestine
- Found in an ally containing 87% zinc in prehistoric ruins of Transylvania
- Metallic zinc was first produced in the 13th century in India
- Was later rediscovered in Europe
- William Champion set up zinc industry in England in 1740s
Uses
Zinc is used in many things, including:
- insulin
- animal and plants diet
- multiple enzymes
Description
- bluish white in colour
- lustrous
- brittle at low temperatures
- malleable at 100-150° Celsius
- Conducts electricity
- Burns in air at high red heat with white clouds from oxide
In The Earth
- Zinc plays an important role in human reproduction
- has to do with sexual maturation in humans
- some organisms accumulate zinc
- Zinc shortages all over the world is a problem
Fun Facts
- zinc-deficient animals need 50% more food to gain the same weight as animals with an adequate amount of zinc in their diets
- Originated from the German word "zink"
- it is never found as a free metal
- important deposits are located in North America and Australia