Specific weight of zinc, properties, applications, table of values
Zinc is an element of the second group of the secondary subgroup of the periodic table of elements. Zinc in its simple form and under normal conditions is a brittle transition metal of white color with a bluish tint.
The content of this material in the Earth's crust depends on the type of rock: in acidic rocks, its content is higher than in igneous rocks. This element is an active aqueous migrant, especially in thermal waters. Large deposits of this metal are located in Australia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Bolivia.
Table of the specific weight of zinc
Since zinc is a complex material, calculating its specific weight independently in field conditions is not possible. These calculations are carried out in special chemical laboratories. However, the average specific weight of zinc is known and equals 7,13 g/cm³.
To simplify calculations, below is a table with values of the specific weight of zinc, as well as such a parameter as the weight of zinc depending on the units of measurement.
| Material | Specific weight (g/cm³) | Weight of 1 m³ (kg) |
| Zinc | 7,13 | 7130 |
Properties of zinc
In its pure state, zinc is a ductile white metal with a characteristic bluish tint and a hexagonal lattice structure. It is brittle at normal room temperature, and when bent it produces a noticeable crackling sound from the friction of crystallite components. This type of material acquires ductility in the temperature range from 100 to 150 °C. Any impurity, even the slightest, increases the characteristic brittleness even more.
When zinc interacts with air, it forms a thin film on its surface. When heated to high temperatures, this type of material burns with the release of amphoteric zinc oxide.
Zinc interacts well with alkalis and acid solutions, both in its ordinary form and in the formed zinc oxide, except for very high-purity pure zinc without the addition of copper sulfate.
With sufficient heating, it can react with halogens, phosphorus, and sulfur. This type of element does not react with nitrogen, silicon, boron, or carbon.
Zinc is used in a large number of diverse types of work in various areas. The main applications include:
- Recovery and extraction of noble metals, such as silver and gold, obtained by underground leaching
- Zinc is used to protect steel from corrosion
- This type of material is widely used in chemical current sources, such as accumulators and batteries
- This element plays a major role in the production of zinc-air accumulators, which are distinguished by high specific energy capacity
- Zinc is widely used in printing
- Zinc is used as an element in various types of hard solders to lower the melting point
- This element is quite widely used as a medicine with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action
- Zinc is used in the production of paint — zinc white
- This element is used in mechanical engineering as an important component of brass alloys
- It is quite common in the production of vulcanized fiber
- Production of flexible luminous panels and screens
- The use of zinc makes it possible to create excellent semiconductors
- Zinc phosphide is also used as a rodent control agent
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 m³ of zinc weigh?
At a density of about 7.13 g/cm³, 1 m³ of zinc weighs roughly 7130 kg. Small differences are possible due to temperature, metal purity and zinc alloy composition.
Why do reference books sometimes give slightly different zinc density values?
Values around 7.13-7.14 g/cm³ are commonly listed. The difference comes from rounding, measurement temperature, sample purity and whether the material is pure zinc or an alloy.
Is zinc really brittle?
At room temperature, pure zinc can be brittle, but when heated to roughly 100-150 °C it becomes more ductile. This hardly affects weight calculations, but it matters for processing the material.