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tin [Sn]
From the Anglo-Saxon tin, named for the Etruscan god Tinia. The symbol Sn is from the Latin word for tin, stannum. Known to ancient civilizations.
Occurrence:
1) found as tin oxide (cassiterite)
2) isolated by heating ore containing tin in the presence of carbon
Characteristics:
1) 2 allotropes: white & gray
2) white tin
a) soft, faintly blueish white, lustrous
b) low-melting crystalline metallic element
c) malleable & ductile at ordinary temperature
3) gray tin: powdery & brittle
4) resists corrosion
5) trialkyl tin & triaryl tin compounds are toxic
Uses:
1) protective coating
2) tin foil
3) soft solders, pewter
4) alloys
a) bronze is an alloy of 80% copper, 20% tin
5) used for casting because of low melting temperature
6) stannic oxide & stannic choloride are used to make ceramic glazes & fabric treatment
7) used in Pilkington process for making glass panes
8) stannous fluoride is used in toothpaste
Related
periodic table
tin in specimen
General
chemical element
metal
Properties
SIZE: AW = 118.69
atomic number
VALUE: 50
VALENCE: KR 4D10 5S2 5P2
References
- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-
Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
- Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003