Transitional Metal of the Week

• Zinc (pronounced Zink)
• also known as spelter
• The symbol Zn
• Atomic Number 30
• Atomic Mass 65
• Number of electrons and protons 30
• Number of neutrons 35
• Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to Magnesium because its ion is of similar size
• Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in the Earth's crust
• Brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc, has been used since at least the 10th century BC
• Impure zinc metal was not produced in large scale until the 13th century in India, while the metal was unknown to Europe until the end of the 16th century.
• Corrosion-resistant zinc plating of steel is the major application for zinc. Other applications are in batteries and alloys, such as brass
• Zinc is an essential mineral of "exceptional biologic and public health importance". Zinc deficiency affects about two billion people in the developing world and is associated with many diseases. In children it causes growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, infection susceptibility, and diarrhea, contributing to the death of about 800,000 children worldwide per year. Consumption of excess zinc can cause ataxia, lethergy and copper deficiency.