Metals in My Life - Essay Example

Metals always have had immense application in different realms of human life. They are generally defined as opaque, lustrous elements that are good conductors of heat and electricity. The history of metallurgy, the science of metals dates back to 6000 BC. Interestingly this is one of the oldest applied sciences known to mankind. Since these long of years of history, there had been remarkable linkage between the application of metals on the ways and life of human. There were only twenty four metals discovered till the eighteenth century and twelve of them were discovered in the eighteenth century itself. Gold and Copper are considered to be the first metals discovered. However currently there are eighty six known metals. (Source: empirestateventure.com) The dependency of mankind on metals is averred by the fact that the human civilization was based on seven metals which were known to be the Metals of Antiquity. These seven metals included Gold, Copper, Silver, Lead, Tin, Iron and Mercury. While referring the early development of civilizations, it has been found in the history that these metals were known and used by the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks and the Romans. In the post modern era of advanced sciences, the role of metals is quite inevitable in the day to day activities of human beings. Its usefulness are widely ranged involving its applications in Transportation, Aerospace, Computers and other electronic devices that require conductors, Communications including satellites that depend on a tough but light metal shell, Food processing and preservation, Construction, Biomedical applications, Electrical power production and distribution, Farming and household conveniences. Source :http://matse1.mse.uiuc.edu/metals/time.html Source :http://matse1.mse.uiuc.edu/metals/time.html The objective of this essay is to analyze the role of metals in my life. The role of some of the metals play in my day to day life is being reviewed along with the factual on those metals. The dependency of my routine activities on the application of these metals is wide and vivid. In the following paragraphs some of the metals are being dealt in detail beginning with the scientific information on those metals and then on the utility of those metals in my life. Thus essay takes care of the science of metals with reference to my life along with the emotional and application level attachment of mine with those metals and their products. Gold The beauty and ambience of this metal is very much reflected in its chemical symbol itself. Chemical symbol of Gold is ‘Au’ which has been derived from the Latin aurum meaning shining dawn. The name also refers much to the color of the metal. Gold is mostly used to make ornaments. The color and shine of this particular metal makes it an attractive entity. The role of gold in the prehistoric periods including the extensive use of gold to decorate the palaces has had mention in the historic records. The role of gold as an entity of commerce also has been confirmed as it was used to make coins. The stuff that reminds me most on the beauty of the gold is when I use the golden ring that my friend had gifted. It was gifted to me on my last birthday. My friend who is still a student had to burn a lot of midnight candles so as to spare the money to buy it. To add to the value of her notion of love, Gold commercially is a very costly metal. This means my friend has sacrificed a lot from her earning to assert her care for me. More than the value of the metal in terms of money gold thus reminds me of the process of sharing of love. In my view Gold is one of the best gifts in the world. There are other economic perspectives of gold including the consideration of it as an investment. This feeling is triggered by the performance of Gold in the commodity market. In some of the countries cultural feeling are also attached with gold and the ornaments made out of it. Where ever I see gold and the stuffs made of it, I am reminded of my friend and her lovely gift. My experience is an ample proof to the level to which gold and the products of it are attached with human emotions and sentiments. It is true that there are other metals and ornaments made of them which are costlier than golden ornaments. Platinum is one of the finest examples for this. But what matters more to me is the love and affection attached in the gesture of my friend. Though gold may be symbols of pride, commerce and other feelings, for me it is a real, naïve and true to heart representation of love and care as expressed by my friend. Moreover it also reminds me of the sacrifice she did for the sake of our friendship. Gifts are always cherished. But when the gift involves the beauty, sacrifice and love as it clearly appeared in the golden ring received by me as a birthday gift, it becomes really close to heart. As the metal hold the quality to remain non-corrosive and tarnish free, it also symbolizes that our friendship would live for ever. In my jewelry box, this golden ring stands outs of every other ornament making it an admirable gift. Iron There are indications in the history that made iron and its utilities were available even in 2500 B.C. However the use of Iron became more common in 1200 BC. Hematite, an oxide of iron, was used by the ancient people as ornaments. The finding that Iron can be used aw weapons both in warfare and for farming revolutionized the importance of this metal to mankind. The chemical symbol for Iron is ‘Fe’ which has derived from the Latin term Ferrum. In my day to day activities Iron plays an inevitable role. Right from the beginning of the day Iron and its products are present in different realms of life. Right from window pane through which I see the first sun ray of the day till the frame of bed I lay on which I finish the day is made of Iron and its alloys. Steel which is an alloy of Iron is an integral tool in the kitchen. Most of the elements in the cutlery sets are made of steel. The conversion of iron to steel makes it non-corrosive. This process works as if adding quality and durability to the strength of Iron. There are numerous other utilities of Iron personally for me. Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies. With out gardening tools made of Iron this hobby of mine would have never been easy. Spade, Hoe, Rakes, Pruning Knifes, Saw and many others can be added in the list of necessary tools for gardening. Interestingly all these tools are made of Iron. Even the lawn mower that I use is basically built of Iron. Iron is considered to be a symbol of strength. This symbolization very often comes to my mind as I remember one of the funny accidents that happened to me. While busily walking through a street with my friend completely immersed in the discussion we were having, I didn’t notice the road sign pole on the way. I realized that there was an iron pole on the way only after hitting my head strongly against it. I had a swelling on my face for a week. When ever I hear about the strength of Iron I always remember this funny incident. Another tool of iron which I am emotionally attached with is an Iron key. When I used to stay in the hostel with my room mate, we used to have a single key for our room. We often used to have confusions regarding the key when either of us moved out. Both of us had to wait for hours outside the room waiting for the key many times. We fought on this matter quite number of times. When today this matter is looked backed into, both of us find it very nostalgic and funny. Adding to the nostalgia I had the fortune to keep the key as sweet memoir of those times. I really consider that Iron key as sweet treasure. Whenever my old friend visits me, we use to take out that key and share the memories of those golden days. That Iron Key is a true autograph of my friend and the time we spent together. Currently that key opens the door to the days of the past and secures our memories. It should be precise to symbolically mention that the key binds our friendship and is one of the factors which would help the relationship to retain its flavor and life. I often use to imagine the security that the iron keys of these sorts give to the owners of them. It is the belief in the key and the lock that give people a feel that their belongings are safe at home even they are away. In my opinion Iron is a metal which symbolizes strength and trust. It is this strength that has made Iron as the foundation for many constructions. When value addition is done durability is also blended in. Tin There is reference in the historic records that an axe was found dating back to 2500 BC revealed that it contained 11% tin and 89% copper. This was referred as the invention of Bronze. Artifacts made of tin were used in 200 BC. The symbol of Tin is ‘Sn’ which is derived from the Latin word Stannum. The prime qualities of tin are the ductility and the malleability. Other characteristics of Tin are that it is Tin is highly crystalline and during deformation is subject to mechanical twinning and an audible tin cry. Tin is also quite resistant to corrosion. The ductility and the malleability of the metal have made it a common metal for making sheets. The loveliest utility that I would reckon about Tin with reference to my life is those beautiful and tempting chocolate boxes which are made of this metal. I have kept in my cupboard some of those lovely empty chocolate boxes. Though many of my friends have made fun of me for keeping those empty boxes, I cannot afford to throw away those beautiful pieces of metals into dump yard. For the people who criticize me, these may be junk waste metal pieces. But for my Emotional Quotient those metal boxes of Tin are much beyond mere empty boxes. I strongly believe that my passion towards them would in future help in some sort. I am a serious listener of music and music is an inevitable part of my life. The drums, bugle, piano which is of my favorite musical instruments are made of an alloy of Tin. This alloy is termed as Bronze. Bronze constitutes much of the crucial parts of many of the musical instruments. Bronze is also considered by me as a symbol of achievement and an encouragement to do better. This fact is averred as it is included as medal of achievement in sports events. In the school games I have managed to gain few bronze medals which encouraged me to do better the next time. In my opinion, Tin is a metal in which can serve as an excellent medium of expression for an artist. My opinion is well backed by the historic proofs on art works done on tin in the prehistoric period. I have also made some attempts to make few carvings on the tin sheet. Though I am not an artist of class, these efforts give me immense pleasure. Moreover these humble trials add the urge for innovation in me. I am of the opinion that these simple things would count much in the life ahead. Conclusion The role of metals in human life has impeccable record. Since the early developmental stages of civilization metals have had notable impact in the way of human life. The role of the Metals of Antiquity including Gold, Copper, Silver, Lead, Tin, Iron and Mercury are specific in this context. Several critical developments in the process of civilization have observed the vitality of metals. As the whole mankind I too enjoy the luxury that the specific characteristics of metals offer to the routines of life. Apart from the physical support that these metals provide, I have emotional attachments with some of my personal entities made of metal. The Golden ring gifted by my friend, the chocolate tin boxes, the iron key and the memoir of the accident with the iron rod all are emotionally very well attached to me. I being a music lover love the sound and rhythm of the metals as well. Works cited Brewer J(2007), Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, viewed 07 January 2009 Read More