Iron Facts for Kids

Iron Periodic Table
  • Name: Iron
  • Symbol: Fe
  • Atomic Number: 26
  • Atomic Weight: 55.845 u
  • Period: 4
  • Group: 8

27 Iron Facts for Kids

  1. Iron is a chemical element on the periodic table.
  2. Pure iron is a soft metal with a grayish color.
  3. Iron was most likely first discovered before the 5th millennium BC (5000 BC).
  4. Iron is a solid at room temperature.
  5. The symbol for iron is Fe.
  6. The atomic number for iron is 26.
  7. The standard atomic weight of iron is 55.845 u.
  8. Iron is in the transition metal group on the periodic table.
  9. Iron is a period 4 chemical element, which is the fourth row on the periodic table.
  10. Iron is a group 8 chemical element, which is the iron group.
  11. Iron has four stable isotopes and they are (54)Fe, (56)Fe, (57)Fe and (58)Fe.
  12. The melting point for iron is 2,800 °F (1,538 °C).
  13. The boiling point for iron is 5,182 °F (2,862 °C).
  14. Iron is the fourth most common element found in the Earth’s crust.
  15. Iron is the sixth most common element found in the universe.
  16. Most of the Earth’s outer and inner core is made up of iron.
  17. Iron makes up around 5% of the Earth’s crust.
  18. Iron is the most naturally magnetic element on the periodic table.
  19. Iron is used to make the metal alloy steel by combing iron and carbon together.
  20. Steel is a very durable metal that can be used to make buildings materials, tools, vehicles and so much more.
  21. Iron accounts for 0.005% of a human’s body weight, with most of it in the hemoglobin and myoglobin proteins.
  22. Iron is an important part of human nutrition and helps with oxygen transportation and storage.
  23. Human blood gets its red color from iron and oxygen interacting with each other.
  24. Iron oxidation is what causes iron to rust. Iron oxide is created through a redox reaction of iron, oxygen and water.
  25. The surface of Mars gets its red color from iron oxide (rust).
  26. Iron made relics found in Egypt are believed to be made of iron from a meteoric origin.
  27. Iron is an Anglo-Saxon word that means “metal”.

Additional Resources on Iron

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