stannum

Stannum is the Latin name for tin, the chemical element with symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a post-transition metal in group 14. Tin occurs in two main allotropes at ambient conditions: a malleable white tin (beta-tin) and a brittle gray tin (alpha-tin) that forms at lower temperatures. The name stannum lends its symbol Sn.

In terms of properties, tin is a silvery-white metal with a low melting point of 231.93 C and a boiling point around 2,625 C. It is relatively soft and ductile, highly resistant to corrosion in air due to the formation of a protective oxide layer, and has a density of about 7.31 g/cm3. Tin forms two common oxidation states: tin(II) and tin(IV), which give rise to compounds such as SnCl2 and SnO2.

Stannum occurs most commercially as cassiterite, SnO2, the principal ore of tin. It is mined in various deposits worldwide, with major production in countries such as China, Indonesia, Peru, and Bolivia. The ore is smelted and refined to metal, often involving fluxes and reducing agents to remove impurities.

Tin has widespread applications: tin-plated steel for food cans, solder (including lead-free variants), and as an additive in bronze (copper-tin alloy) and pewter. Tin oxide (SnO2) is used in ceramics, glass, and as a conductive material in electronics. The Latin name stannum also informs the chemical naming of stannous and stannic compounds.