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Understanding the element
Iron (Fe) is chemical element 26. It belongs to the transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.
Where do we encounter it?
In practice, it turns up most often in metallurgy and steel, construction and biology.
metallurgy and steelconstructionbiology
Standard atomic weight55.845(2)
What its position in the table tells us
Iron sits in period 4, group 8 and the D block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.
Worth remembering
Iron has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Iron has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses