Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe (from Latin: ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element (by mass) forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust. Iron's very common presence in rocky planets like Earth is due to its abundant production as a result of fusion in high-mass stars, where the production of nickel-56 (which decays to the most common isotope of iron) is the last nuclear fusion reaction that is exothermic. This causes radioactive nickel to become the last element to be produced before collapse of a supernova leads to the explosive events that scatter this precursor radionuclide of iron abundantly into space.
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Famous quotes containing the word iron:
“We are told that every American boy has the chance of being president. I tell you that these little boys in the iron cages would sell their chance any day for good square meals and a chance to play.”
—Mother Jones (1830–1930)
“Wilmer Cook: Keep on riding me, they’re gonna be picking iron out of your liver.
Sam Spade: The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter.”
—John Huston (1906–1987)
“Runs not this speech like iron through your blood?”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)