Arsenopyrite was discovered by G. Agricola of Germany in 1546 (Reciprocal Net), it is a arsenic ore and has the chemical formula FeAsS, meaning it contains iron, arsenic, and sulfur. The molecular weight of it is 162.83 gm and contains about 34.30% Fe, 46.01% As, and 19.69% S as its main components (David B.). The general physical description of Arsenopyrite can be depicted as a light steel gray or tin white, opaque, and non-florescent . If formed as the crystal, the hardness of those crystals is a 5, having a distinct cleavage with striated, parallel lines and prismatic, slender crystals . The density of Arsenopyrite is 6.07 g/cm^3. It is also known as Mispickle, Arsenical pyrite, and others (AZoMining). When heated, Arsenopyrite emits a lethal gas and a strong garlic odor. This odor is distinctive of the arsenic resting inside the mineral and a …show more content…
This element has been known since ancient times and in general, is a shiny, grayish metal that rusts in damp air. This metal is non-toxic and plays a large role in all forms of life, especially human beings. As hemoglobin iron carries oxygen from the lungs to our cells, it keeps human’s alive. In fact, human bodies contain of about 4 grams of iron and need to intake a healthy dose of it daily (Royal Society of Chemistry, Iron). Without iron humans start to face severe health problems, including the development of anemia. Other then being an important aspect in humanity Fe, one of the three magnetic elements, the other two being cobalt and nickel, is also the fourth of Earth’s most abundant mineral, by mass (Royal Society of Chemistry, Iron). The source of this iron comes naturally from ores deep in the earth’s crust in sedimentary crusts, since iron oxidizes remarkably fast on the Earth’s surface. For commercial use, pure Iron can transform into steel or an alloy by adding other impurities and elements, making it an