Tin

Mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures, tin is of ancient origins. Tin is an element in Group 14 (the carbon family) and has mainly metallic properties. Tin has atomic number 50 and an atomic mass of 118.710 atomic mass units.

Mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures, tin is of ancient origins. Early metal smiths were quick to learn that mixing copper with tin created a more durable metal (bronze) and it is principally for its alloys that tin is valued today. Named after the Etruscan god Tinia, the chemical symbol for tin is taken from the Latin stannum. The metal is silvery white and very soft when pure. It has the look of freshly cut aluminum, but the feel of lead.

Polished tin is slightly bluish. It has been used for many years in the coating of steel cans for food because it is more resistant to corrosion than iron. It forms a number of useful low-melting alloys (solders) which are used to connect electrical circuits. Bending a bar of tin produces a characteristic squealing sound called "tin cry". Tin shares chemical similarities with germanium and lead. Tin mining began in Australia in 1872 and today Tin is used extensively in industry and commerce.