Element 26

Iron (Fe)

Transition metal · Period 4 · Group 8 · d-block

Iron (Fe) is element 26 of the periodic table, a transition metal in period 4, group 8 (d-block) with an atomic mass of 55.845 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
26
Symbol
Fe
Atomic mass
55.845 u
Category
Transition metals
Period
4
Group
8
Block
d-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d6 4s2
Shorthand configuration
[Ar] 3d6 4s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 14, 2
Oxidation states
-4, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6, +7

Physical properties

Melting point
1811 K
Boiling point
3134 K
Density
7.874 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.83
Atomic radius
156 pm
Covalent radius
132 pm
First ionization energy
762 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
15 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Fe-5655.9349491.75%Stable

Common uses

  • Steel production
  • Construction
  • Machinery
  • Hemoglobin

Discovery

Discovered by
Known since antiquity
Country
Unknown

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