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Iron (Fe). Diagram of the nuclear composition, electron configuration, chemical data, and valence orbitals of an atom of iron-56 (atomic number: 26),
Iron (Fe). Diagram of the nuclear composition, electron configuration, chemical data, and valence orbitals of an atom of iron-56 (atomic number: 26), the most common isotope of this element. The nucleus consists of 26 protons (red) and 30 neutrons (orange). 26 electrons (white) successively occupy available electron shells (rings). Iron is a transition metal in group 8, period 4, and the d-block of the periodic table. It has a melting point of 1538 degrees Celsius. The trends across the transition metals are due to electrons filling an inner d-subshell (here, within the 3rd ring), shielding the outer (valence) electrons from the increasing nuclear charge.
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Photo credit: © CARLOS CLARIVAN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
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