55.845
Atomic Mass (u)
1538 C
Melting Point
2862 C
Boiling Point
7.874 g/cm3
Density
1.83
Electronegativity
[Ar] 3d6 4s2
Electron Config
4
Period
8
Group
📖 About Iron
The most abundant element on Earth by mass (making up 32% of Earth's total mass, mostly in the core) and the most widely used metal. Iron's nuclear binding energy is the highest of any element, making it the end product of stellar nucleosynthesis in massive stars. When a star's core turns to iron, it collapses in a supernova.
🔧 Uses and Applications
- Steel production (iron + carbon)
- Construction and infrastructure
- Hemoglobin in blood (oxygen transport)
- Magnets (iron, nickel, cobalt)
- Cast iron cookware
💡 Did You Know?
Fact: Every atom of iron heavier than about 56 atomic mass units in the universe was forged in a supernova explosion or neutron star merger. The iron in your blood was literally created in exploding stars billions of years ago.