zinc [Zn]

From Aaushi
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Introduction

From the German zink meaning tin. Ores were used in medieval times in China & India. Pure zinc was first isolated in India in the 13th century, then in Europe by the German chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf in 1746.

Occurrence

  • zinc occurs abundantly in minerals
  • comprises 0.007% of Earth's crust

Characteristics

  • a blueish white crystalline metallic element of low to intermediate hardness
  • ductile when pure, but in the commercial form, it is brittle at ordinary temperatures & becomes ductile upon slight heating
  • tarnishes in air

Uses

More general terms

Additional terms

Component of

References

  1. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam- Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
  2. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995

Database