Q 01/05

What is the chemical symbol for iron?

A) In

B) Fe

C) Ir

D) I

Answer · why

B) Fe

It comes from the Latin word ferrum.

Q 02/05

What is the atomic number of iron?

A) 26

B) 27

C) 28

D) 30

Answer · why

A) 26

It sits in group 8 of the periodic table, in the first transition series.

Q 03/05

By mass, iron is the most common element where?

A) In the universe

B) On Earth as a whole

C) In the human body

D) In the Earth's crust

Answer · why

B) On Earth as a whole

Most of it lies in the planet's inner and outer core.

Q 04/05

Iron ranks where among elements in the Earth's crust by abundance?

A) Second

B) Tenth

C) First

D) Fourth

Answer · why

D) Fourth

Only oxygen, silicon and aluminium are more abundant in the crust.

Q 05/05

What is the common name for the hydrated iron oxides formed when iron meets oxygen and water?

A) Tarnish

B) Patina

C) Verdigris

D) Rust

Answer · why

D) Rust

Unlike protective oxides on some metals, rust flakes off and exposes fresh metal to further corrosion.