Metals

What is a metal?

• Metals are elements that are good conductors of electric current and heat.– Tend to be shiny and bendable– Begin on the left side of the periodic

table and extend to the right– Consist of the majority of the

elements on the periodic table.

• Example: Copper

Physical Properties of Metals• Luster- shiny and reflective.• Malleable- one that can be

hammered or rolled into flat sheets.

• Ductile- one that can be pulled out, or drawn, into long wires.

Physical Properties of Metals• Thermal Conductivity- the ability

of an object to transfer heat.• Electrical conductivity- the ability

of an object to carry electric current.

• Some metals are also magnetic.

Chemical Properties of Metals

• The ease and speed with which an element combines, or reacts, with other substances is called its reactivity.– React by losing electrons to other

atoms.

• The breaking down of a metal due to chemical reaction in the environment is called corrosion.

Classification of Metals• The metals of Group 1 are called

the Alkali metals.–Most reactive elements in the periodic

table.– Found only in compounds.– Low densities and melting points.– Example: Lithium (Li).

Classification of Metals• The metals of Group 2 are called

the Alkaline earth metals.–Harder and denser–Melt at high temperatures than alkali

metals.– Very reactive, but not as reactive as

alkali metals.– Example: Calcium (Ca)

Classification of Metals• The metals of Group 2 through 12

are called the Transition metals.– Include copper, nickel, gold, and

silver.–Most are hard and shiny solids.–Have high melting points and high

densities.– Good conductors of heat and electric

current.– Very malleable.

Classification of Metals• Only some of the metals in Groups

13 through 16 are metals.• Two rows of elements are placed

below the main part of the table.– Lanthanides—top row– Actinides—bottom row (are not found

in nature but made in laboratories)

Classification of Metals• Elements that follow uranium in

the periodic table are transuranium elements.– Are made when nuclear particles are

forced to crash into one another.– Also called synthetic elements.