Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe (from Latin: ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element (by mass) forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust. Iron's very common presence in rocky planets like Earth is due to its abundant production as a result of fusion in high-mass stars, where the production of nickel-56 (which decays to the most common isotope of iron) is the last nuclear fusion reaction that is exothermic. This causes radioactive nickel to become the last element to be produced before collapse of a supernova leads to the explosive events that scatter this precursor radionuclide of iron abundantly into space.
Read more about Iron.
Famous quotes containing the word iron:
“In the course of history, men come to see that iron necessity is neither iron nor necessary.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (18441900)
“And thus Snow White became the princes bride.
The wicked queen was invited to the wedding feast
and when she arrived there were
red-hot iron shoes,
in the manner of red-hot roller skates,
clamped upon her feet.”
—Anne Sexton (19281974)
“And thus we rust Lifes iron chain
Degraded and alone:
And some men curse, and some men weep,
And some men make no moan:
But Gods eternal Laws are kind
And break the heart of stone:”
—Oscar Wilde (18541900)