Definition of tin - What it is, Meaning and Concept

Before entering fully into the meaning of the term tin, we will proceed to know its etymological origin.In this case, we can indicate that it derives from Latin, exactly from “stagnum”, which on other occasions appears written as “Stannum.” Likewise, it must be stated that “stagnum” was formerly used with two meanings: as a synonym for pond or as an alloy of silver and lead.

That second meaning, which is what today has been maintained, it must be established that it began to be used as such in the first century and appears for the first time in a writing by Plinio.


Tin is the chemical element whose atomic number is 50 and its symbol, Sn .It is a silver metal whose oxidation is Produce with ease.


Tin has a good ability to resist corrosion : that's why it is often used to wrap other elements and thus provide protection .For its resistance, it is also used in welds and in the manufacture of containers .

The man began using tin about three thousand years before Christ .The material soon proved to be useful for making tools and weapons with greater performance and better performance than those produced with bones or stones.Also, the tin and copper alloy allowed to find an element that changed history: the bronze .


In fact, it is known as Bronze Age to the prehistoric period in which metallurgy based on this tin alloy with copper was forged.In this context, it was a very important activity that favored travel and gave great importance to metal deposits.


Other significant characteristics of tin are as follows:-It has a high boiling point and melts at low temperature.-The tin ore that is considered more significant responds to the name of cassiterite.-If we consider its allotropic form There are two varieties of this element that concerns us: gray tin and white tin.-Some varieties of tin can cause damage to the environment, especially affecting fish and also plant species such as fungi.-Trielitic tin It is one of the most dangerous substances that exist for man.Good proof of this is that it can cause serious damage to your health such as headaches, problems with urination, irritations of a certain severity on the skin and also in the eyes, liver failures, sleep disorders, vomiting and dizziness, excessive sweating, brain damage of different types...


Bronze is not the only alloy that can be achieved by combining tin with other metals . pewter , for example, is composed of lead, antimony, copper and tin.Usually pewter is used to produce pieces of crockery and ornaments.

It should be noted that, when subjected to a low temperature, the tin experiences a phenomenon known as tin plague : Record an increase in volume , it becomes gray and crumbles until it turns to dust.

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