Round 10: Tossup 4

An oxide hydroxide of this element reinforces the teeth of limpets, the strongest known biological material. Elements that bind to this element during planetary differentiation are called siderophiles. This is the most abundant element found in meteorites that display Widmanstätten patterns. The introduction of oxygen (15[1])to Earth’s atmosphere produced (*) “banded” formations of this element. Pyrite consists of sulfur and this element, whose primary ores include magnetite and hematite. Depending on if its oxidation state is plus 2 or plus 3, this element is “ferrous” or “ferric.” For 10 points, name this transition metal found in rust. ■END■

Back to tossups

Buzzes

Summary