Iron

Iron is a very common metal found all around us. It is part of the earth’s crust and one of the main elements that make up our planet. Iron is known for being strong, shiny, and easy to shape when heated. Its chemical symbol is Fe, which comes from the Latin word *ferrum*. Iron has been known since ancient times and is one of the first metals humans learned to use.

Most of the iron we see today is not pure. It is mixed with other materials to make it stronger or to give it special properties. One of the best-known mixtures is steel, which is made by combining iron with a small amount of carbon. Steel is used to make buildings, bridges, tools, cars, and many other things that help people live and work safely.

Iron is also important in nature. It is found in many types of rocks and minerals, especially a reddish one called hematite. When iron reacts with water and air, it forms a reddish-brown substance called rust. Rust weakens iron over time, which is why people often paint or coat iron to protect it from rusting.

Iron is not only found in the ground—it is also found inside living things. The blood of humans and many animals contains iron. In humans, iron is part of a molecule called hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen through the body. Without enough iron, people can feel weak or tired because their blood cannot carry enough oxygen.

Iron plays a big role in history and daily life. Ancient tools, weapons, and machines were made from iron long before modern factories existed. Today, iron continues to shape our world—from the skeletons of skyscrapers to the engines of ships and trains. It is one of the elements that truly built human civilization.

Because it is strong, useful, and found nearly everywhere, iron is one of the most important materials humans have ever discovered. Whether in a nail, a car, or your own body, iron is a part of life that helps the world keep moving forward.