Zinc

(zingk.) [From Ger. zinke, a spike.] (Chem.) A metallic element of a bluish-white color; somewhat brittle and crystalline, but malleable when hot, and tolerably permanent in the air. Sp. gr. between 6-9 and 7.2; it melts at 7730, and boils at a full red heat, burning in the air with a brilliant flame. At. weight 65. Symbol Zn. Owing to its permanence in the air, it is much used for slight building erections, both alone and as a protecting coating for iron, under the name of galvanized iron. Zinc di olves easily in acids with evolution of hydrogen, and is largely used for scientific purposes, as the positive element of galvanic batteries, and for preparing hydrogen. Zinc forms one oxide (ZnO) which is a white insoluble powder uniting with acids to form zinc salts (see the respective acids); it is prepared on the large scale for use as a pigment under the name of zinc white, and is superior to white lead in not blackening with sulphuretted hydrogen, and in being non-poisonous. [s. 977]