Tin is a metal element which has an atomic weight of tin 118.69 and an atomic number of 50. Its atomic symbol is Sn, from the Latin term stannum. Tin is a silver-white metal with a bluish tint. It has a melting point of 449.42°F (231.9°C) and a boiling point of 4715.6°F (2602°C). Because of its highly crystalline structure, tin, as it is bent, makes a moaning sound called "tin cry."

Upon cooling, tin undergoes unusual changes in its crystalline structure, transforming from white (beta) tin, with a tetragonal structure, to gray (alpha) tin, which has a cubic structure, at about 64°F (18°C). This transformation is called the "tin pest" by metallurgists because alpha tin is useless for their purposes. However, adding small quantities of antimony or bismuth to tin will prevent this from occurring.

Tin was known in ancient times. Its earliest use...