Zinc

Lauren

Zinc, sometimes known as spelter -Address-In Period 4, in Group 12, in the Transitional Elements. -Atomic Number 30, Atomic Mass 65.38

Objective - I want to work with a dietary compliment plant, as zinc carbonate and zinc gluconate. Without zinc, children can develop growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, infection susceptibility, and diarrhea. This causes the death of 800,000 people worldwide. -I would like to work as the supplement. I feel I could help a lot of people by being put into vitamins.

Background -Most likely, I was named by Paracelsus, an alchemist, who gave me the name Zinke, the German name. I've worked previously in brass with copper as an alloy in the 10th century. I started to be produced in large amounts in 13th century India. When I was brought to Europe in the 16th century, I was used by alchemists. They burned me in open air, and created “philosopher's wool,” a white substance. In nature, I am found in mines as an ore, but I'm also found in red meats, which is where most humans get their zinc. 8mg-11mg of me a day is the recommended amount for humans.

Honors and Awards -I am an anti-corrosion agent, which means if you coat another metal with me, I'll protect if from rusting or oxidizing. I'm also used as a white pigment in paints. Sometimes I'm used in deodorants and anti-dandruff shampoo.

Experience and Skills -I'm very reactive, which is why I'm an anti-corrosion agent, I “attract” the oxidation away from whatever I'm coating. I'm malleable with high heat. I also conduct electricity fairly well.

References

Mg and I are very similar, because our ionic states are similar in size and both common oxidation states are +2.

S and I are very close, because the most common of myself is an ore called sphalerite, which is zinc sulfide.

Cu and I form Brass, an important alloy that has been used for centuries.

Citations

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/FactSheets/Zinc.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc

http://www.webelements.com/zinc/