Chapter 2 Lesson 3: Metals Flashcards
Properties of Metals
Metals are elements that are good conductors of electric
current and heat
They tend to be shiny and bendable.
An example is copper.
Majority of elements are metals
Physical Properties of Metals
The physical properties of metals include luster, malleability,
ductility, and conductivity.
Luster-shiny and reflective
Malleable- a material that can be hammered or rolled into flat
sheets or shapes
Ductile-a material that can be pulled out or drawn into long
wires.
Copper is both malleable and ductile
Physical Properties of Metals (Continued)
Conductivity
Thermal conductivity -the ability of an object to transfer
heat;
only a small amount of thermal energy is needed to raise
the temperature of a metal
Electrical conductivity- the ability of an object to carry
electric current
Magnetic- attracted to magnets
Most metals are solid are room temperature; Mercury is excluded
because it is liquid at room temperature.
Chemical Properties of Metals
Reactivity- the ease and speed with which and element
combines or reacts with other substances
Metals usually react by losing electrons to other atoms
Corrosion- the deterioration of a metal due to a chemical
reaction in the environment
Iron rusting is an example
Metal Classification
Alkali Metals
Metals in Group 1 from Lithium (Li) to Francium (Fr).
Most reactive metals found only in compounds
Example: Potassium compounds are used in
fireworks.
Metal Classification
Alkaline Earth Metals
Metal Classification
Alkaline Earth Metals
Group 2 Metals
Harder and denser than alkaline metals and so they melt at
higher temperatures
Example: Magnesium (Mg)
Metals that are always found in compounds
Example: Calcium compounds are essential for bone health
Metal Classification
Transition Metals
Groups 3-12
Examples: gold, iron, nickel, coper, and silver
Most metals are hard shiny solids, except Mercury
Mercury is liquid at room temperature.
High melting points and high densities
Good conductors of heat and electric current
Malleable
Less reactive; Iron reacts with air to rust but it takes years.
Lanthanides and Actinides
The two rows of elements that are placed below the main
part of the periodic table.
Top row- Lanthanides
Example: Neodymium (Nd) used in laser light
Second row – Actinides
Many of these elements are not found in nature but made
artificially in laboratories
Transuranium Elements
Elements that follow uranium in the periodic table
These elements are made or synthesized when nuclear
particles are forced to crash into one another
Also known as synthetic elements
