Chemistry - Zinc

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In the periodic table, zinc is the first element of group 12.
The symbol of zinc is ‘Zn’ and the atomic number is ‘30.’
In terms of availability, zinc is the 24^th most abundant element found in the Earth's crust and it has five stable isotopes.

The most common zinc ore is sphalerite (zinc blende), which is a zinc sulfide mineral.
Andreas Sigismund Marggraf, the German chemist, first discovered the pure metallic zinc in 1746.
Interestingly, alchemists burned zinc in the air and form something different thing and they named that "philosopher's wool" or "white snow."

Salient Features of Zinc

Zinc’s color is bluish-white and it is lustrous and diamagnetic metal.
Zinc metal is normally hard and brittle; however, at when the temperature increases from 100⁰C, it becomes malleable.
When temperature increases 210⁰C, then the zinc metal again becomes brittle and can be pulverized easily by beating.
Zinc is a conductor of electricity.

Zinc usually found in association with some other base metals such as copper and lead.
Sphalerite is a form of zinc sulfide and it is the most heavily mined ore.
Sphalerite contains about 60 to 62% zinc.

Following are the major alloys of zinc −
- Brass
- Nickel silver
- German silver

Zinc is one of the most important elements for the public health.
Zinc is largely used as an anti-corrosion agent and coating of iron and steel materials.
Zinc is commonly used as the anode or fuel of the zinc-air battery.
Zinc oxide is extensively used as a white pigment (see the image given below) in paints.

Zinc oxide is also used as a catalyst in manufacturing rubber.
Zinc is an essentially required element for our health; it is normally used as supplementary materials in the forms as zinc oxide, zinc acetate, or zinc gluconate.
Zinc is normally antioxidant material.
Zinc deficiency in human body may cause major depressive disorder.
After the bodily injury, zinc is used to speed up the healing process.
Zinc pyrithione is commonly used in shampoos to prevent the dandruff.
Chelated zinc is usually used in toothpastes and mouthwashes (liquid), as it prevents the bad breath.
Zinc also protects skin from sunburn, therefore, it is used in body lotions.