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    Fe

    Iron

    Transition Metal

    Atomic Number: 26 • Atomic Mass: 55.8450 u • Period: 4 • Group: 8

    Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁶
    Phase: Solid
    Electronegativity: 1.83
    Manganese (Mn)Cobalt (Co)
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    Physical & Chemical Properties

    Physical Properties

    • •Silvery-gray, lustrous metal
    • •Ductile and malleable
    • •Ferromagnetic below 770°C (Curie temperature)
    • •Exists in several allotropic forms (α-iron, γ-iron, δ-iron)
    • •Good conductor of heat and electricity
    Melting Point

    1811 K (1537.85 °C, 2800.13 °F)

    Boiling Point

    3134 K (2860.85 °C, 5181.53 °F)

    Density

    7.874 g/cm³

    Electronegativity

    1.83 (Pauling scale)

    Chemical Properties

    • •Main oxidation states are +2 and +3
    • •Readily forms rust (iron oxide) when exposed to air and moisture
    • •Dissolves readily in dilute acids
    • •Forms numerous compounds and complexes
    • •Essential element for nearly all living organisms

    Electron Configuration

    1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁶

    Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in atomic orbitals, showing how they are arranged in energy levels and subshells.