Tin(Sn)

Tin is a chemical element atomic number 50 silvery-metal. Tin is surrounding the base of the CFL light bulb to contact with the power source. Tin could be mined in various places. For example, China, Indonesia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Congo- Kinshasa. Nevertheless, China and Indonesia produce a little bit less than half of the tin production in the world. Depending on the shape of the CFL light bulb, the amount of tin used can differ.  

Physical/Chemical Property:

Tin had numerous usages before aluminum took over. Nowadays, there aren't many original tin uses. Rather than just using tin, people create alloy which is a mixture of metals. Examples of tin alloy uses are the frame of a car, some light bulbs, and cans. Tin is very malleable and ductile which means that tin can be in different shapes without breaking or having to become weak and break easily. Tin in CFL light bulbs usually takes in the shape of a screw and can be screwed into power sources without any tools. Also, tin melts at low temperatures of about 232 °C (450 °F) which suitable for the light bulb heat. 

Tin isn't flammable on a CFL light bulb temperature and doesn't react with any material or gas inside of the CFL light bulb. The tin itself is really neutral. It is non-toxic and does no harm to humans and the environment. However, a few of the organotin compound of a tin can be very dangerous. There are two modifications. The metallic form of tin called β-tin is stable at room temperature and when the temperature is higher than room temperature, the substance is malleable. The nonmetallic form of tin is called α-tin which is stable at 13.2°C and looks like a diamond. 

If you want to know more about the chemical element Tin, please watch this video.

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