Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is a transition metal, grouped with cadmium and mercury. Zinc has an electron configuration of . It is a moderately reactive metal and strong reducing agent. Zinc is a solid at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. Zinc is found in several ores, the principal ones being zinc blende (zinc sulfide) and calamine (zinc silicate). The principal mining areas are in China, Australia, and Peru. Commercially, zinc is obtained from its ores by concentrating and roasting the ore, then reducing it to zinc by heating with carbon or by electrolysis. Zinc is used in a variety of applications, including:
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Galvanizing: Zinc is used to coat other metals like iron and steel to slow down rusting or corrosion.
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Alloys: Zinc is alloyed with other metals like lead and tin to make solder, a metal with a relatively low melting point used to join electrical components, pipes, and other metallic items.
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Batteries: Zinc oxide is used in batteries, including alkaline batteries.
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Cosmetics: Zinc oxide is used in cosmetics.
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Fire retardants: Zinc chloride is often added to timber as a chemical fire retardant.
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Fluorescent bulbs: Zinc sulfide is used in fluorescent bulbs.
Zinc is an essential trace element in the human body, where it is found in high concentration in the red blood cells as an essential part of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which promotes many reactions relating to carbon dioxide metabolism. Zinc is also a component of some enzymes that digest protein in the gastrointestinal tract.
