Page 151 - The Periodic Table Book

50
Sn Tin

50 50 69 State: Solid
Discovery: c. 2100 bce
Forms

Laboratory sample of pure tin
The black colour
of the crystals is due
to iron impurities.
Cassiterite

This pale, silvery
metal is easily moulded.

Uses This shiny alloy The large pipes of this organ
are made of tin and lead.
contains around 90% tin.

Watering can

Tin plating over steel Pewter figurine
makes the can more
resistant to corrosion.
The tin plating on this
Tin whistle steel whistle prevents rusting.
Pipe organ

Tin was one of the first metals used plating steel objects, such as cans, to stop
by humans. As long as 5,000 years ago, them corroding. A compound called tin
tin was mixed with copper to make bronze, chloride is used for dyeing silks. This metal
an alloy that was stronger than either pure continues to be used in a variety of tough
metal. The ore cassiterite is the main source alloys, including pewter, soft solder,
of pure tin. Uses for tin are many, including and bronze. 149

148-149_Germanium_Tin.indd 149 12/12/16 6:15 pm