Dictionary of Meaning
<<Back
Please select a letter:
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
0-9
Click here for Shopping
Zinc
*** Shopping-Tip: Zinc
{{Elementbox_header | number=30 | symbol=Zn | name=zinc | left=
copper .html">gallium
_above=- | below=cadmium|Cd | color1=#ffc0c0 | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_series |
transition metals }}
{{Elementbox_groupperiodblock | group=12 | period=4 | block=d }}
{{Elementbox_appearance_img | Zn,30| bluish pale gray }}
{{Elementbox_atomicmass_gpm |
1 E-25 kg 65.409List of elements by atomic mass (4) }}
{{Elementbox_econfig | [
argon Ar] 3d
10 4s
2 }}
{{Elementbox_epershell | 2, 8, 18, 2 }}
{{Elementbox_section_physicalprop | color1=#ffc0c0 | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_phase |
solid }}
{{Elementbox_density_gpcm3nrt | 7.14 }}
{{Elementbox_densityliq_gpcm3mp | 6.57 }}
{{Elementbox_meltingpoint | k=692.68 | c=419.53 | f=787.15 }}
{{Elementbox_boilingpoint | k=1180 | c=907 | f=1665 }}
{{Elementbox_heatfusion_kjpmol | 7.32 }}
{{Elementbox_heatvaporiz_kjpmol | 123.6 }}
{{Elementbox_heatcapacity_jpmolkat25 | 25.390 }}
{{Elementbox_vaporpressure_katpa | 610 | 670 | 750 | 852 | 990 | (1185) | comment= }}
{{Elementbox_section_atomicprop | color1=#ffc0c0 | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_crystalstruct
| hexagonal }}
{{Elementbox_oxistates | 2
(
Amphoteric (chemistry) amphoteric oxide) }}
{{Elementbox_electroneg_pauling | 1.65 }}
{{Elementbox_ionizationenergies4 | 906.4 | 1733.3 | 3833 }}
{{Elementbox_atomicradius_pm |
1 E-10 m 135 }}
{{Elementbox_atomicradiuscalc_pm |
1 E-10 m 142 }}
{{Elementbox_covalentradius_pm |
1 E-10 m 131 }}
{{Elementbox_vanderwaalsrad_pm |
1 E-10 m 139 }}
{{Elementbox_section_miscellaneous | color1=#ffc0c0 | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_magnetic |
diamagnetism diamagnetic }}
{{Elementbox_eresist_ohmmat20 | 59.0 n}}
{{Elementbox_thermalcond_wpmkat300k | 116 }}
{{Elementbox_thermalexpansion_umpmkat25 | 30.2 }}
{{Elementbox_speedofsound_rodmpsatrt | (rolled) 3850 }}
{{Elementbox_youngsmodulus_gpa | 108 }}
{{Elementbox_shearmodulus_gpa | 43 }}
{{Elementbox_bulkmodulus_gpa | 70 }}
{{Elementbox_poissonratio | 0.25 }}
{{Elementbox_mohshardness | 2.5 }}
{{Elementbox_brinellhardness_mpa | 412 }}
{{Elementbox_cas_number | 7440-66-6 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_begin | isotopesof=zinc | color1=#ffc0c0 | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=64 | sym=Zn | na=48.6% | n=34 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay2 | mn=65 | sym=Zn | na=
synthetic radioisotope syn | hl=
1 E7 s 244.26 day d | dm1=
electron capture ε | de1=- | pn1=65 | ps1=
copper Cu | dm2=
gamma radiation γ | de2=1.1155 | pn2= | ps2=- }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=66 | sym=Zn | na=27.9% | n=36 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=67 | sym=Zn | na=4.1% | n=37 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=68 | sym=Zn | na=18.8% | n=38 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=69 | sym=Zn | na=
synthetic radioisotope syn | hl=56.4 min | dm=
Beta decay β- | de=0.906 | pn=69 | ps=
gallium Ga }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=70 | sym=Zn | na=0.6% | n=40 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_end}}
{{Elementbox_footer | color1=#ffc0c0 | color2=black }}
'''Zinc''' (from German ''zink'') is a
chemical element in the
periodic table that has the symbol '''Zn''' and
atomic number 30.
Notable characteristics
Zinc is a moderately reactive
metal that will combine with
oxygen and other non-metals, and will react with dilute
acids to release
hydrogen. The one common
oxidation state of zinc is +2.
Applications
Zinc is the fourth most common metal in use, trailing only
iron,
aluminium, and
copper in annual production.
* Zinc is used to
galvanization galvanize steel to prevent corrosion.
* Zinc is used to
Parkerize steel to prevent rust and corrosion
* Zinc is used in alloys such as
brass, nickelled silver, typewriter metal, various
soldering formulas and
German silver.
* Zinc is the primary metal used in making American
Penny (U.S. coin) pennies since 1982.
* Zinc is used in die
casting notably in the
automobile industry.
* Zinc is used as part of the containers of
battery (electricity) batteries.
* Zinc is used in contemporary
pipe organ building as a substitute for the classic lead/tin alloy in pipes sounding the lowest (pedal) tones, as it is tonally almost indistinguishable from lead/tin at those pitches, and has the added advantages of being much more economical and lighter in weight. Even the best organ builders will use zinc in this capacity.
*
Zinc oxide is used as a white pigment in watercolours or
paints, and as an activator in the
rubber industry. As an over-the-counter ointment, it is applied as a thin coating on the exposed skin of the face or nose to prevent dehydration of the area of skin. It can protect against
sunburn in the summer and windburn in the winter. Applied thinly to a baby's diaper area (perineum) with each diaper change, it can protect against
rash. As determined in the
Age-Related Eye Disease Study, it's part of an effective treatment for
age-related macular degeneration in some cases.
* Zinc is the fourth common material used in metal wall tiles, and is used for its germicidal properties in kitchens[http://www.metalwalltiles.net/zincTiles.htm].
*
Zinc chloride is used as a deodorant and can be used as a wood
preservative.
*
Zinc sulfide is used in
luminescence luminescent pigments such as on the hands of clocks and other items that glow in the dark.
*
Zinc methyl (Zn(CH
3)
2) is used in a number of organic
chemical synthesis syntheses.
* Zinc stearate is a lubricative plastic additive.
* Lotions made of
calamine, a mix of Zn-(hydroxy-)carbonates and silicates, are used to treat skin rash.
* Zinc metal is included in most single tablet over-the-counter daily vitamin and mineral supplements. It is believed to possess anti-oxidant properties, which protect against premature aging of the skin and muscles of the body. In larger amounts, taken as zinc alone in other proprietaries, it is believed by some to speed up the healing process after an injury. Preparations include
zinc acetate and
zinc gluconate.
*
Zinc gluconate glycine and
zinc acetate are also used in
throat lozenges in an attempt to remedy the common cold.[http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/133/4/245.pdf]
Popular misconceptions
The characteristic metal
Bar (counter) counters of traditional
France French Bar (establishment) bars are often referred to as '''zinc bars''' or simply '''zinc''', but in fact zinc has never been used for this purpose and the counters are actually made of an alloy of
lead and
tin.
In
Argentina some people wrongly believe that zinc is a
poison, and some of them are avoiding food which is known to include zinc. In
1997 a municipality north of the centre of
Buenos Aires posted advertisements in popular magazines explaining the usefulness of zinc in the
human body.
History
Image:ZincMetalUSGOV.jpg thumb|left|Zinc
Zinc alloys have been used for centuries, as brass goods dating to
1000s BC 1000-
1400s BC 1400 BC have been found in
Palestine (region) Palestine and zinc objects with 87% zinc have been found in prehistoric
Transylvania. Because of the low boiling point and high chemical reactivity of this metal (isolated zinc would tend to go up the chimney rather than be captured), the true nature of this metal was not understood in ancient times.
The manufacture of
brass was known to the
Ancient Rome Romans by about
30 BC, using a technique where
calamine and
copper were heated together in a crucible. The
zinc oxides in calamine were reduced, and the free zinc metal was trapped by the copper, forming an
alloy. The resulting
calamine brass was either cast or hammered into shape.
Smelting and extraction of impure forms of zinc was being accomplished as early as
1000 AD in
India and
China. By the end of the
14th century, the
Hindus were aware of the existence of zinc as a metal separate from the seven known to the ancients. In the West, impure zinc as a remnant in melting ovens was known since Antiquity, but usually thrown away as worthless. Strabo mentions it as ''pseudo-arguros'' "mock silver". The
Berne Zinc tablet is a votive plaque dating to
Roman Gaul, probably made from such zinc remnants. The discovery of pure metallic zinc is most often credited to the German
Andreas Sigismund Marggraf Andreas Marggraf, in the year
1746, though the whole story is considerably more involved.
Descriptions of brass manufacture are found in Western Europe in the writings of Albertus Magnus, c.
1248, and by the
16th century, the understanding and awareness of the new metal broadened considerably.
Georg Agricola observed, in
1546, that a white metal could be condensed and scraped off the walls of a furnace when zinc ores were smelted. He added in his notes that a similar metal called "zincum" was being produced in Silesia.
Paracelsus (died
1541) was the first in the West to say that "zincum" was a new metal and that it had a separate set of chemical properties from other known metals.
The upshot is that zinc was known by the time Marggraf made his discoveries and in fact zinc had been isolated two years earlier by another chemist, Anton von Swab. However, Marggraf's reports were exhaustive and methodical and the quality of his research cemented his reputation as the discoverer of zinc.
In
1738,
William Champion (metallurgist) is credited with patenting in
Britain a process to extract zinc from calamine in a smelter. The metallic zinc is captured by an iron tube into water.
Before the discovery of the
zinc sulfide flotation technique,
calamine was the mineral source of zinc metal.
Image:Foodstuff-containing-Zinc.jpg thumb|250px|Foods and spices that contain the essential mineral zinc
Biological role
Zinc is an essential element, necessary for sustaining all life. It is estimated that 3000 of the hundreds of thousands of proteins in the human body contain zinc. In addition, there are over a dozen types of cells in the human body that secrete zinc ions, and the roles of these secreted zinc signals in medicine and health are now being actively studied. Intriguingly, brain cells in the mammalian forebrain are one type of cell that secretes zinc, along with its other neuronal messenger substances. Cells in the salivary gland, prostate, immune system and intestine are other types that secrete zinc.
Food Sources
Zinc is found in oysters, and to a far lesser degree in most animal proteins, beans, nuts, whole grains, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
Phytates, which are found in whole grain breads, cereals, legumes and other products, have been known to decrease zinc absorption. Clinical studies have found that zinc, combined with
antioxidants, may delay progression of age-related
macular degeneration, but the effect is extremely small and not likely to be clinically important. Significant dietry intake of zinc has also recently been shown to impede the onset of flu.
Soil conservation analyzes the vegetative uptake of naturally occurring zinc in many soil types.
Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency results from inadequate intake of zinc, or inadequate absorption of zinc into the body. Signs of zinc deficiency includes hair loss,
skin lesions,
diarrhea, wasting of body tissues, and, eventually, death. Eyesight, taste, smell and memory are also connected with zinc and a deficiency in zinc can cause malfunctions of these organs and functions. Congenital abnormailties causing Zinc deficiency may lead to a disease called
Acrodermatitis enteropathica.
Obtaining a sufficient zinc intake during
pregnancy and in young children is a very real problem, especially among those who cannot afford a good and varied diet.
Brain development is stunted by zinc insufficiency in utero and in youth. Teenage boys require 11 milligrams of zinc.
There is zinc in
semen. As much as 0.25 milligrams of zinc will be found in 1 mL of seminal fluid. In fact, one of the methods used to test for semen in suspicious spots at a crime scene is to use a test for zinc (Hoof et al., Forensic Sci Int., 1992, 53:135).
Zinc Toxicity
Even though zinc is an essential requirement for a healthy body, too much zinc can be harmful. Excessive absorption of zinc can also suppress copper and iron absorption. On the other hand, the free zinc ion in solution is highly toxic to plants, invertebrates, and even vertebrate fish. The Free Ion Activity Model (FIAM) is well-established in the literature, and shows that just micromolar amounts of the free ion kills some organisms. A recent example of 6 micromolar killing 93% of all daphnia in water is in Muyssen et al., (Aquat Toxicol. 2006). Swallowing a penny (98% zinc) can also cause damage to the stomach lining due to the high solubility of the zinc ion in the acidic stomach (Bothwell and Mair, PEDIATRICS 2003).
Psoriasis
Ionic zinc is a potent antimicrobial, used since 2500 BC in topical creams. Calamine lotion, diaper creams, and dandruff treatments are just some of the common antimicrobial applications. At low concentrations, zinc ions promote wound healing. Zinc ions also directly stimulate zinc receptors on skin cells, promoting wound healing.
Immune System
Zinc salts are effective against pathogens in direct application. Gastrointestinal infections are also strongly attenuated by ingestion of zinc, and this effect could be due to direct antimicrobial action of the zinc ions in the GI tract, or to absorption of the zinc and re-release from immune cells (all granulocytes secrete zinc) or both.
The direct effect of zinc (as in lozenges) on bacteria and viruses is also well-established, and has been used since at least 2000 BC, from when zinc salts in palliative salves are documented. However, exactly how to deliver zinc salts against pathogens without injuring one's own tissues is still being investigated.
Abundance
Zinc is the 23rd most abundant element in the
Earth's crust. The most heavily mined
ores (sphalerite) tend to contain roughly 10%
iron as well as 40-50% zinc. Minerals from which zinc is extracted include
sphalerite (zinc sulfide),
smithsonite (zinc carbonate),
hemimorphite (zinc silicate), and
franklinite (a zinc spinel).
''See also
:Category:Zinc minerals Zinc minerals.''
Zinc production
There are zinc mines throughout the world, with the largest producers being
Australia,
Canada,
China,
Peru and the
U.S.A. Mines in
Europe include Vieille Montagne in
Belgium, Tara, Galmoy and Lisheen in
Ireland, and Zinkgruvan in
Sweden.
Zinc metal is produced using
extractive metallurgy.
Zinc sulfide (
sphalerite) minerals are concentrated using the
froth flotation method and then usually roasted using
pyrometallurgy to oxidise the zinc sulfide to zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is leached in sulfuric acid and the resulting solution is purified using zinc dust. The metal is then extracted by electrowinning as cathodic deposits. Zinc cathodes can be directly cast or alloyed with aluminium.
Another process to produce zinc is flash smelting, a pyrometallurgical process. Then zinc oxide is obtained, usually producing zinc of lesser quality than the hydrometallurgical process.
Zinc oxide treatment has much fewer applications, but high grade deposits have been successful in producing zinc from zinc oxides and zinc carbonates using
hydrometallurgy.
Compounds
Zinc oxide is perhaps the best known and most widely used zinc compound, as it makes a good base for white pigments in paint. It also finds industrial use in the rubber industry, and is sold as opaque
sunscreen. A variety of other zinc compounds find use industrially, such as
zinc chloride (in deodorants),
zinc sulfide (in luminescent paints), and zinc methyl in the organic laboratory. Roughly one quarter of all zinc output is consumed in the form of zinc compounds.
''See also
:category:Zinc compounds Zinc compounds.''
Isotopes
Naturally occurring zinc is composed of the 5 stable
isotopes
64Zn,
66 Zn,
67Zn,
68Zn, and
70Zn with
64Zn being the most abundant (48.6%
natural abundance). 21
radioisotopes have been characterised with the most abundant and stable being
65Zn with a
half-life of 244.26 days, and
72Zn with a half-life of 46.5 hours. All of the remaining
radioactive isotopes have half-lives that are less than 14 hours and the majority of these have half lives that are less than 1 second. This element also has 4
meta states.
Precautions
Metallic zinc is not considered to be toxic, but free zinc ions in solution (like copper or iron ions) are highly toxic. There is also a condition called ''zinc shakes'' or ''zinc chills'' that can be induced by the inhalation of freshly formed
zinc oxide. Excessive intake of zinc can promote deficiency in other
dietary minerals.
References
-
Los Alamos National Laboratory - Zinc
External links
{{Commons|Zinc}}
{{wiktionary|zinc}}
-
History & Etymology of Zinc
-
WebElements.com – Zinc
-
Discovering the 8th metal
-
Statistics and Information from the U.S. Geological Survey
-
Reducing Agents > Zinc
Category:Zinc
af:Sink
bs:Cink
bg:Цинк
ca:Zinc
cs:Zinek
cy:Sinc
da:Zink (grundstof)
de:Zink
et:Tsink
es:Zinc
eo:Zinko
fa:روی (Ù?لز)
fr:Zinc
ko:ì•„ì—°
io:Zinko
id:Zink
is:Sink
it:Zinco
he:×?בץ
ku:Çînko
la:Zincum
lv:Cinks
lt:Cinkas
hu:Cink
mi:Konutea
nl:Zink (element)
ja:亜鉛
no:Sink
nn:Sink
oc:Zinc
pl:Cynk
pt:Zinco
ro:Zinc
ru:Цинк
simple:Zinc
sk:Zinok
sl:Cink
sr:Цинк
sh:Cink
fi:Sinkki
sv:Zink
th:สัง�ะสี
vi:Kẽm
tr:Çinko
uk:Цинк
zh:锌
Zinc Zn{{qif|test={{{1|}}}|then=
{{{1}}}}}
----
This template should be :Template substitution substituted.
Category:Chemical element symbol templates {{PAGENAME}}
This category contains articles related to
zinc, a
chemical element.
Category:Chemical elements
Category:Transition metals
Category:Pyrotechnic chemicals
*** Shopping-Tip: Zinc
