iron

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Study how iron ore is mined with explosives and crushed and concentrated with remote-controlled machines

Explore an interactive periodic table of the elements

Figure 19: Summary of shock-wave data on the densities of oxides and iron compounds at high pressures and high temperatures. The seismologically derived pressure-density curves for the lower mantle and outer core are included for comparison.

nuclear binding energies

Iron-carbon equilibrium diagram.

Global distribution of iron on the Moon's surface

Figure 9: Structures of some native elements. (A) Close-packed model of simple cubic packing of equal spheres, as shown by iron. Each sphere is surrounded by eight closest neighbours. (B) Close-packed model of the structure of arsenic and antimony. Flat areas represent overlap between adjoining atoms. (C) Partial representation of the structure of diamond. (D) The structure of graphite with sheets perpendicular to the c axis.

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iron: Facts & Related Content

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Iron-activated molecules show promise against aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer cells • May 7, 2025, 6:42 AM ET (Medical Xpress)

Facts

Also Known As	ferrum • Fe

Photos and Videos

Figure 19: Summary of shock-wave data on the densities of oxides and iron compounds at high pressures and high temperatures. The seismologically derived pressure-density curves for the lower mantle and outer core are included for comparison.

nuclear binding energies

Iron-carbon equilibrium diagram.

Global distribution of iron on the Moon's surface

Figure 9: Structures of some native elements. (A) Close-packed model of simple cubic packing of equal spheres, as shown by iron. Each sphere is surrounded by eight closest neighbours. (B) Close-packed model of the structure of arsenic and antimony. Flat areas represent overlap between adjoining atoms. (C) Partial representation of the structure of diamond. (D) The structure of graphite with sheets perpendicular to the c axis.

Study how iron ore is mined with explosives and crushed and concentrated with remote-controlled machines

Why is blood red?

Learn about the oxygen-transporting function and molecular structure of the protein hemoglobin

How iron is turned into steel

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ferric iron compound ferrous iron compound gamma iron delta iron beta iron oolitic iron deposit alpha iron ferroalloy iron processing pulmonary hemosiderosis hydrogen carbon sodium nitrogen sulfur phosphorus boron iodine fluorine zinc

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Key People

August Thyssen

German industrialist

Amelia zur Helle Thyssen

German industrialist and philanthropist

A photo of Jamsetji Tata.

Jamsetji Tata

Indian industrialist

Kelly, William

William Kelly

American inventor

Georgina Hope Rinehart

Australian business executive

Langley George Hancock

Australian mining industrialist

Abraham Darby

British ironmaster

Thyssen, Fritz

Fritz Thyssen

German industrialist

William Fairbairn

British engineer

John Wilkinson, oil painting by an unknown artist; in the Science Museum, London

John Wilkinson

English ironmaster

Christian Lundeberg

Swedish politician

Réaumur, detail of an engraving by J. Blanchon

René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur

French entomologist

John Roebuck

British physician, chemist, and inventor

Dud Dudley

English ironmaster

Gayley, James

James Gayley

American metallurgist

John Chipman

American chemist and metallurgist

Richard Alexander Fullerton Penrose, Jr.

American geologist

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