Iron Ore
Iron ore is a mineral substance which will yield
metallic iron (Fe). It almost always consists of iron oxides, the primary
forms of which are magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (Fe2O3).
The image below shows a few specimens of iron ore. The grey metallic ore is
magnetite, while the red ore is hematite. The round thing in the middle is a
quarter.

Iron was long ago categorized as a base metal, as
opposed to the noble metals like gold and silver, but in fact its fundamental
role makes it a "base metal" in quite the other sense. Iron ore is the source of
primary iron for the world's iron and steel industries. It is therefore
essential for the production of steel, which in turn is essential to maintain a
strong industrial base. Almost all (98%) iron ore is used in steelmaking.
Iron ore is mined in about 50 countries. The seven
largest of these producing countries account for about three-quarters of total
world production. Australia and Brazil together dominate the world's iron ore
exports, each having about one-third of total exports.
Today it may seem like there is no romance left in iron
ore, just big industry and government agencies. But you can relive the days of
iron mines and their iron men as you visit historical sites where old techniques
and blast furnaces and ironworks from the 19th century are preserved. Visit the
great ore ships that still ply the American Great Lakes, or ride the trains that
carry the ore. Do not forget the artisans for whom the industry began—the
blacksmith in the village square.
Iron - the Element
Name: Iron
Symbol: Fe
Atomic Number: 26
Atomic Mass: 55.845 amu
Melting Point: 1535.0 °C (1808.15 K, 2795.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 2750.0 °C (3023.15 K, 4982.0 °F)
Number of Protons/Electrons: 26
Number of Neutrons: 30
Classification:
Transition
Metal
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 7.86 g/cm3
Colour: Silvery

structure of iron

Crazy Facts Corner
- Iron makes up
the Earth's
core.
- By volume, iron makes up 34.6% of
the earth, more than any other element.
- It's chemical symbol, Fe, is
derived from ferrum, the Latin word for iron.
Links
http://geology.about.com/library/weekly/aa033097.htm
http://www.geo.msu.edu/geo333/iron.html
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/fe.html
Researched by Angua-