Metals of the iron family

1 Metals of the iron family. These metals pertain to the 1st transition row. Iron (Fe, [Ar]3r/64.v2), name from the Anglo-Saxon iron, symbol from the Latin name ferrum (iron). The use of iron dates back to prehistoric times. 

Occurrence. Iron is highly abundant (about 5.5% of the earth s crust) it is believed that the core of earth is mostly molten iron together with nickel. The most common ore is haematite (Fe203). Iron is found in other minerals such as magnetite, limonite, siderite, pyrite. Iron is found native in meteorites known as siderites. 

Cobalt (Co, [Ar]3 J74s2), name from the German word kobold (evil spirit). Isolated (1735) by the Swedish chemist Georg Brandt. 

Bluish silvery, solid, hard, brittle metal. 

Occurrence. There are a number of important ores containing cobalt. These include linnaeite, Co3S4, cobaltite, CoAsS, and smaltite, CoAs2. 

---