Iron oxide is a chemical compound made up of iron and oxygen. It commonly appears in various forms, such as rust, which is a reddish-brown substance that forms when iron reacts with moisture and oxygen in the air. Iron oxides are widely used in industries, including pigments for paints and coatings, as well as in the production of iron and steel.
There are several types of iron oxide, including magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (Fe2O3). These compounds are important in geology and can be found in rocks and soils. Additionally, iron oxides play a role in environmental processes, such as the cycling of nutrients and the formation of minerals.