Appearance:
* Color: Bluish-white, lustrous
* Form: Solid (at room temperature)
* Crystalline Structure: Hexagonal close-packed
Mechanical Properties:
* Density: 7.14 g/cm³
* Hardness: 2.5 on Mohs scale (soft)
* Tensile strength: 137 MPa (varies with purity)
* Ductility: Malleable and ductile (can be drawn into wires and rolled into sheets)
* Elasticity: Low elasticity (not very springy)
Thermal Properties:
* Melting point: 419.5 °C (787.1 °F)
* Boiling point: 907 °C (1665 °F)
* Thermal conductivity: 116 W/(m·K) (fairly good conductor of heat)
* Coefficient of thermal expansion: 26.1 µm/(m·K) (expands moderately when heated)
Electrical Properties:
* Electrical conductivity: 16.9% IACS (fairly good conductor of electricity)
* Resistivity: 5.9 µΩ·cm (at 20 °C)
* Magnetic properties: Diamagnetic (weakly repelled by magnetic fields)
Other Properties:
* Odor: None
* Taste: Metallic
* Toxicity: Low in its elemental form, but some zinc compounds can be toxic
Note: Some properties can vary depending on the purity of the zinc.
Applications:
Zinc's physical properties make it suitable for a wide range of applications including:
* Galvanization: Protecting steel from corrosion
* Brass and Bronze: Alloys used in various applications
* Die-casting: Creating small intricate parts
* Batteries: Zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries
* Pharmaceuticals: Zinc supplements and medications
* Pigments: Used in paints and coatings
These are just some of the key physical properties of zinc. It's a versatile element with many uses thanks to its unique combination of characteristics.
