Page 75 - The Periodic Table Book

Uses

First-aid tape Medical tapes that contain

zinc oxide stop wounds from
Supernova
getting infected with microbes.
Along with many other elements,
zinc atoms are formed inside
Hemimorphite supernovae (exploding giant stars). protects it from rust.
The zinc coating
on this steel bridge

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge,
Kobe, Japan
American penny
This zinc coin is
coated with copper.
This mineral contains
Hemimorphite zinc carbonate. This soothing skin
was discovered by lotion contains a
mixture of zinc
James Smithson, the compounds.
founder of the Zinc oxide crystals
Smithsonian are generally colourless. Rubber boots
Institution.
Calamine lotion

Zincite

This flexible rubber is made
stronger by adding zinc oxide.
GALVANIZED STEEL

Steel is protected from corrosion by coating
it with zinc. Alloys of iron and zinc form in
layers between the steel and pure zinc.
This process is called galvanization.

Pure zinc
94% zinc
and 6% iron
90% zinc
and 10% iron
Steel is an
alloy of iron
and carbon.

range of applications. For example, a compound paints that glow in the dark. When pure
of zinc and oxygen called zinc oxide is used zinc is exposed to air, the metal reacts
in medical tape and sunscreen. Zinc oxide with oxygen to form a protective layer
can also be used to toughen the rubber used of an oxide. This coating can prevent
in boots and tyres. A compound of zinc and objects covered in zinc, such as bridges,
sulfur called zinc sulfide is used to make some from corroding easily. 73

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