A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

72

Transition Metals

Zinc

Zn

30

30 30 35

State: Solid

Discovery: 1746

Zinc was used in India and China

hundreds of years before the German

chemist Andreas Marggraf identified it

as a new element in the 18th century. This

element is a rare transition metal that is never

pure in nature, but is found in many minerals.

The mineral sphalerite, containing zinc sulfide,

is the major source of pure zinc. Another

principal mineral, hemimorphite, contains

zinc and silicon. Zinc is essential in our diet.

We consume it from food such as cheese and

sunflower seeds. Zinc compounds have a wide

Forms Smithson

ite

This zinc mineral

forms rough nodules

inside cracks.

Hard, shiny metal

Sphalerite

This ore is

the main source

of zinc.

Laborato

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of (^) pure zi
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