Tin

Symbol: Sn
Atomic number: 50
Category: poor metals
Group: 14
Period: 5
Block: p
Atomic weight: 118.710 g/mol
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 18, 4
CAS number: 7440-31-5
Phase: solid
Density: 7.365 kg/dm³ (white) (near room temperature) 5.769 kg/dm³ (gray) (near room temperature)
Melting point: 505.08 K (231.93 °C, 449.47 °F)
Boiling point: 2875 K (2602 °C, 4716 °F)
Crystal structure: tetragonal
Oxidation states: 4, 2
Electronegativity: 1.96 (Pauling scale)
Name's origin: stannum
Name's meaning: the lead-silver alloy of the same name for the finding of the latter in ores
Facts:
- is the 49th most abundant element and has, with 10 isotopes, the largest number of stable isotopes in the periodic table
- a silvery, malleable poor metal which is not easily oxidized in air, and is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion
- due to its low toxicity, tin-plated metal is also used for food packaging, giving the name to tin cans, which are made mostly out of aluminium or tin-plated steel
- plays no known natural biological role in humans, and possible health effects of tin are a subject of dispute - tin itself is not toxic but most tin salts are
- organotin compounds are very toxic - tri-n- alkyltins are phytotoxic and depending on the organic groups, they can be powerful bactericides and fungicides
- resists corrosion from distilled, sea and soft tap water, but can be attacked by strong acids, alkalis, and acid salts