Metal report: Zinc

Zinc

My metal report is on Zinc (Zn), the 24th most abundant element on Earth's crust. Before I get into details about this element, I am going to state the basic facts first. Zn has 30 protons and 30 electrons. It has 35 neutrons, resulting in a total atomic mass of 65.39. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. The only ion found in zinc is Zn2+. It's melting point is 419.53 degrees celsius and its boiling point is 907 degrees celsius. Zinc is naturally solid, most abundantly found in China, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the Republic of Korea. It is found as a bluish white, lustrous metal and has a hexagonal crystal structure. It is a fair conductor of electricity and is quite reactive. It has the lowest melting point of all the transition metals aside from mercury and cadmium. Zinc is usually hard and brittle but it becomes rather malleable when between the temperatures of 100 and 150 degrees celsius. It has five stable isotopes. Zn-65 is the longest lasting isotope (243.8 days), while Zn-62 is the shortest lasting (9.26 hours).

Problems with Zinc
While Zinc is an essential element, intaking too much or too little zinc can cause problems. We need zinc in our body for proper taste and smell, the proper healing of wounds, and healthy skin. Listed are the problems that can occur if someone has zinc deficiency. These problems are more prominent in third world countries:

• Growth retardation
• Delayed sexual maturation
• Infection
• Diarrhea

Listed are the problems that can occur with consumption of excess zinc:

• Ataxia (loss of full control of body movements)
• Lethargy (lack of energy, sleeplessness)
• Copper deficiency

Ways to obtain one's essential dosage of Zinc is to eat the following foods:

• Oysters
• Beans
• Nuts
• Almonds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Whole grains
• Veal liver
• Low fat roast beef
• Dark chocolate and cocoa powder
• Lamb

Founding of zinc

Zinc was discovered in 1746 by scientist Andreas Marggraf. The name zinc comes from the German word zin, which means tin. It is used as a metal coating, a rust protectant, in brass, in bronze, and in nickel.

Reactivity
Zinc is a strong reducing agent, meaning it is used to add electrons to other metals. When zinc is burned in the air, it forms a bright bluish-green flame and gives off fumes of zinc oxide. Zinc reacts with acids, alkali metals, and non-metals. When bonded with another element, it creates covalent bonds.

Uses

Zinc is used to form numerous alloys. Alloys are metals that are mixed together to make an alternate metal. These alloys include brass, bronze, nickel silver, soft solder, German silver, spring brass, and aluminum solder. It is also used to make die castings for use in the electrical, automotive, and hardware industries. Die casting is a process that forces molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. Zinc oxide is used in paints, rubbers, cosmetics, plastics, inks, soap, batteries, pharmaceuticals etc...…

Sources

http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/zinc.htm

http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/zn.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc#Dietary_intake