Chem chem chemistrrrry. More on metals (1 Viewer)

[*!~RidDle$~!*]

Just wondering
Can anyone explain to me the why the bronze age came before the Iron age?
Ok, so i get the fact that they weren't able to extract it because iron has a much higher melting temp than any of the furnaces or fires allowed - so change in technology would be one reason, right? But is that all there is?
Appreciate your help
xx

 

[Besodeiah]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Age

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age

 

[Aerath]

Because bronze has a lower melting point that iron? Easier to use for weaponry and tools etc.

 

[lyounamu]

Just wondering
Can anyone explain to me the why the bronze age came before the Iron age?
Ok, so i get the fact that they weren't able to extract it because iron has a much higher melting temp than any of the furnaces or fires allowed - so change in technology would be one reason, right? But is that all there is?
Appreciate your help
xx

You are right. Technology would be the only reason. The time in which the metals are extracted & used for human uses are directly related to the technology at that time. From 2300 to 1200 BCE, they did not have the technology to extract the iron & forge it into tools and weapons.

As you menionted iron has very high MP compared to the metal components of the bronze (i.e. copper & tin). Copper has the MP of 1085 degrees Celsius and the tin has the MP of 232 compared with 1535 degrees Celsius for iron.

 

[Aerath]

And when copper and tin are combined, Bronze's melting point is lower than copper.