If two pieces of metal touch each other in space, they become permanently stuck!
Unlike in space, our atmosphere creates a very thin layer of oxidized metal on every surface, this creates a barrier preventing two different pieces of metal becoming one. In space however, because this layer cannot be created, when the atoms of the metal objects come together, they instantly bind!
Another interesting point which you may be asking is, why are spaceship surfaces and tools beings used outside the ship not affected by this bizarre factor? Thankfully, because spaceships and tools where created on earth, and because of our unique atmosphere, they will still have the layer of oxidized metal on it’s surface and it would prove extremely difficult to remove.
Without iron, we wouldn’t be alive
Life on earth would cease to exist if iron wasn’t built into our earth. Every living person, animal, plant and bacteria requires iron to survive and grow.
Iron exists within 10 % of the earths crust and almost dominates our entire planet’s core, but without irons presence, hemoglobin which delivers oxygen to the brain, couldn’t be created. Our DNA could not even be formed without it as well
Almost all meteorites contain nickel and iron
When meteorites are found, they are divided into three main groups which are irons, stones, and stony-irons. Most meteorites contain extraterrestrial nickel and iron, but on extremely rare occasions, they can be made of purely stone.
The Hoba Meteorite found in Africa is the largest known meteorite and the largest known singular mass of native iron known to be on the planet. This vast meteorite is just under 3 x 3 meters, has a thickness of around 1 meter and
apparently weighs around 60 tons. It contains 82.4 % iron, 16.4 % nickel, 0.8 % Cobalt and many other types of metals.
Metal doesn’t have a smell , it’s actually you!
Most people think they can recognize the smell of metal when they hold a copper penny for instance. However, the odor is actually caused by skin and metal touching. Scientists discovered that metallic odor is actually caused by your sweat coming into contact with the iron. Ferrious ions break down lipid peroxides in the skin which then create odorous Aldehydes and Ketones.
Iron adorn and adorned
You may not realise it, but iron is one of the most useful materials we have on earth, that is why many ancient civilizations realized its potential and used it to their benefit.
Assyrian writings inform us that iron was once eight times more valuable than gold. Due to it’s high durability, iron was a more useful material to use for the creation of weapons and many other useful objects. The material was even mentioned in the Quran for its great inner force and its ability to be used for many things to help mankind live better and more efficiently. The ancient Egyptians even believed that gold was flakes of skin falling from the Gods and the Native Americans believed that if they consumed gold, they could levitate.
Some other great facts about metal:
- There are 86 known metals known to us
- Gold is so rare that the world pours more steel in an hour than it has poured gold since the beginning of recorded history
- Man has been producing steel for at least 4,000 years
- Due to the shortages of lead and metals during World War II, toothpaste was packaged in plastic tubes and have been ever since
- Iron comprises 5.6% of the earth’s crust
Resources:
* The Hoba Meteorite – www.astronomie.de