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iron
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A periodic table element box for iron displays its atomic number 26, symbol Fe, atomic weight 55.845, electron configuration, and name. Icons indicate iron is a solid, a transition metal, has a body-centered cubic crystal structure, and equal relative strength. Labels explain each property.
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. A scientific graph plots average nuclear binding energy per nucleon (in MeV) against atomic mass number, showing a sharp rise at low mass numbers, peaking near iron (Fe), then gradually declining for heavier elements. Key isotopes are labeled along the curve. bioremediation Iron-carbon equilibrium diagram. Global distribution of iron on the Moon's surface Diagram showing atomic structures of native elements: iron as simple cubic packing of spheres, arsenic and antimony as a close-packed model, diamond as a 3D lattice, and graphite as stacked sheets with labeled cleavage planes.
Close-up of a medical blood bag filled with red blood, showing attached tubes and connectors against a blurred background.
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Concept artwork on the periodic table of elements.
118 Names and Symbols of the Periodic Table Quiz
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iron: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: Engineering LibreTexts - Iron. Oct 16, 2026
Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - Chemistry of Iron. Mar 21, 2026
Article updated. Mar 15, 2026
Add new Web site: Frontiers - Frontiers in Nutrition - Unlocking iron: nutritional origins, metabolic pathways, and systemic significance. Feb 13, 2026
Add new Web site: IOPscience - The Astrophysical Journal - Iron: A Key element for understanding the origin and evolution of Interstellar Dust (PDF). Jan 02, 2026
Add new Web site: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - The Nutrition Source - Iron. Aug 29, 2025
Add new Web site: LennTech - Iron - Fe. Feb 04, 2025
Add new Web site: National Institute of Health - Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron. May 10, 2024
Media added. Feb 28, 2024
Add new Web site: Geoscience Australia - Iron. Feb 17, 2024
Add new Web site: The Matthau Company - A Giant of an Actor. Jan 05, 2024
Add new Web site: Oregon State University - Micronutrient Information Center - Iron. May 17, 2023
Add new Web site: Live Science - Facts about iron. Apr 06, 2023
Add new Web site: Engineering LibreTexts - Iron. Nov 28, 2022
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Iron: A Key Element for Understanding the Origin and Evolution of Interstellar Dust. Sep 06, 2022
Add new Web site: Minerals Education Coalition - Iron. Mar 30, 2022
Changed “Fe_4(P_2O_7)” to “Fe_4(P_2O_7)_3.” Dec 22, 2020
Cross-references added. Jan 26, 2017
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Iron. Mar 13, 2014
Add new Web site: EnvironmentalChemistry.com - Iron. Mar 13, 2014
Add new Web site: Fact Monster - Science - Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: Chemicool - Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: Mineralogy Database - Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: The University of the West Indies - The Department of Chemistry - Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: Chemical Elements.com - Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: WebElements - Iron: reactions of elements. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: Royal Society of Chemistry - Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: Jefferson Lab - The Element Iron. Nov 23, 2012
Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and Technology for Kids - Iron and Steel. Mar 16, 2012
Add new Web site: Rader's Chem4Kids.com - Iron. Oct 04, 2010
Article revised and updated. Apr 17, 2009
Combined with iron section of "transition element" article. Jan 29, 2009
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - How Iron And Steel Work. Dec 26, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Iron Overdose. Sep 29, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Iron In Diet. Sep 24, 2008
Added new Web site: Amethyst Galleries - The Mineral Iron-Nickel. May 30, 2008
Added new Web site: Los Alamos National Laboratory - Iron. May 02, 2008
Added new Web site: Lenntech - Iron.
  • Gaurav Shukla
 Jun 08, 2007
Article revised and updated. Apr 12, 2007
Article added to new online database. May 27, 1999
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