Iron (Fe)

About Iron

Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26, meaning every atom has 26 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Transition metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 55.845 atomic mass units (u).

On the periodic table, Iron sits in group 8, period 4, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.

Uses of Iron

In daily life and industry, Iron is used for Steel, construction. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Transition metal category.

Electron Structure of Iron

Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Iron has 3 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 16 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.

Explore Other Elements

Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.

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