General properties of metals

Introduction to Metals

Think of things around you like your mama's iron pot, the wire carrying NEPA light, or the zinc used for roofing. These are all metals. Most elements in the periodic table are metals, and they have special behaviors that make them different from non-metals like carbon or oxygen.

Physical Properties of Metals

Metals are usually solid at room temperature. They are very strong and can carry heavy loads. If you look at a new gold ring or a polished aluminum bowl, you will see they shine. We call this shine lustre.

Basically, metals are shiny because they bounce light back to your eyes.

Ductility and Malleability

Have you seen how blacksmiths beat hot iron to make hoes? Or how copper is pulled into thin wires for house wiring? Metals don't break easily when you hammer them; they just change shape.

In simple terms, malleability means you can flatten it, while ductility means you can pull it long.

Conductivity

If you use a metal spoon to stir hot soup on a kerosene stove, the handle becomes hot quickly. Also, we use copper for electrical cables because electricity flows through them easily.

This means metals are like a 'highway' for heat and electricity to travel.

Chemical Properties of Metals

Metals like to give away their electrons during chemical reactions. Because they lose electrons, they form positive ions. This is why we call them electropositive elements.

Most metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides. For example, when magnesium burns in air, it forms magnesium oxide (MgO). If this oxide dissolves in water, it turns red litmus paper blue.

Summary of Metal Characteristics:

They have high melting and boiling points.

They have high density (they are heavy for their size).

They are sonorous (they make a ringing sound like a school bell when hit).

They form ionic compounds when they react with non-metals.