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Introduction
Tin, commonly known as “tin”, belongs to the chemical elements we use in our daily lives, and in a physical and chemical sense, is an element of very large number. Especially for Its industrial application of tin was very active in the 19th century, prompting the British to smelt large amounts of tin ore at that time, earning the name “Tin Island”. Tin is of great significance in industrial application, and has been widely used in the manufacture and manufacturing of daily necessities, materials for the three industries, agricultural tools and so on. It can be said that tin relates to the development of the world, so it is also known as “the mother of modern industry”.
History of Tin
Tin has been used since ancient times, as early as 3500 BC. At that time, people living in the Mediterranean region collected tin, melted it and blended it with copper to make bronze. By the 18th century, tin had become a precious material known as white gold and it was used in coins and cooking utensils. In the 19th century, the discovery of tin mines stimulated the development and production of tin products. The British used tin ore to smelt tin, which earned them the title of “Tin Island”. Tin is still widely used today and can be found in various objects such as kitchen utensils, toys, telephones, medical equipment, etc.
Physical Characteristics
Tin is a metal element and its atomic weight is 118.7. It is one of the elements in the fourth period of the periodic table, and is located in the thirteenth group of the periodic table. It is an element with a relatively small atomic nucleus, which is the nearest element to gold. Its atomic number is 50 and its electron configuration is 2-8-18-18-4, with a total of 50 electrons. Its electronic configuration is relatively stable, making it less reactive, but it will crystallize after cooling. Tin is a silvery-white metal and has a metallic luster. It is soft and easily deformable, and can be cut by a cutter or scratched with a nail.
Chemical Characteristics
Tin has excellent corrosion resistance in addition to its ductility, although it will oxidize in air. When tin is heated, it dissolves easily in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, but it cannot be dissolved in hydrofluoric acid. Tin is a weak reducing agent and is relatively inactive in neutral and neutral airs that are not too advanced. However, when it is near sulfur or phosphorus, tin will react quickly and cause oxidation and inhibition.
Forms of Tin
Tin exists in nature in two forms, one is as metal tin and the other is as tin oxide (cassiterite). The metal tin exists in the form of granular or bulk objects, which can be divided into various tin alloys according to their composition of tin from 10% to 98%, among which lead tin alloy is the most widely used. Tin oxide is a solid form of tin, which can exist in the form of particles or powder.
Industrial Applications
Tin has a wide range of industrial applications. It is used in manufacturing as an alloying element, such as tin-lead solders, tin-copper bronze and tin-zinc-nickel alloys. It is also widely used in the manufacture of everyday items such as cans, foil, pipes, containers, cutlery and utensils. Tin is also used in metallurgy, chemicals, electronics and pharmaceuticals. Tin is also used in agricultural implements, such as hoes, spades, sickles and pruning shears. In addition, tin is also used as a coating material in the production of some container cans.
Conclusion
In summary, tin is a relatively stable element with excellent ductility and corrosion resistance. Its physical and chemical properties make it widely used in various industrial and manufacturing areas. From ancient times to the present, tin has an important role in the production and manufacture of goods. Its industrial applications will also be increasingly extensive and diverse in the future.