🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Tin
• Discovered By: Known since ancient times (used by early civilizations)
• Year of Discovery: Ancient (no exact year)
• Category: Post-transition Metal
• Group: 14
• State at Room Temperature: Solid (soft, silvery-white metal) ⚙️

Tin is a soft, malleable metal that has been used by humans for thousands of years.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Sn
• Atomic Number: 50
• Atomic Mass: ~118.71 u
• Valency: +2, +4
• Electronic Configuration: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p²

Tin is resistant to corrosion and has two common forms: white tin (metallic) and grey tin (nonmetallic).

📘 Basic Things to Know

Tin was a key metal in the Bronze Age, combined with copper to make bronze — one of the first alloys. It is still widely used in coatings and alloys today.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• Tin’s use dates back thousands of years and helped humans develop tools and weapons. ⚔️
• When exposed to air, tin forms a protective oxide layer that stops further corrosion.
• Tin is used to coat other metals (like iron) to prevent rusting — this is called tin plating. 🛡️
• Tin has a low melting point (~232°C) and can be easily melted and cast. 🔥
• It’s a non-toxic metal and safe for use in food containers and cans.

🔧 Common Uses

• Tin Plating: Used to coat steel cans and prevent rusting in food packaging. 🥫
• Alloys: Combined with copper to make bronze, and with other metals to make solder.
• Soldering: Used in electronics to join metal parts because it melts easily. 🔧
• Glass Production: Used in making flat glass by floating molten glass on molten tin.
• Chemicals: Used in some pesticides and stabilizers for plastics.

📚 Conclusion

Tin is a versatile metal with a long history, important in making alloys, protecting other metals, and in electronics. For students, it’s a great example of how metals shape technology and daily life! 🔬⚙️