PROPERTIES OF METALS
1. Physical state: All metals are solids at
room temperature except mercury and gallium.
2. Lustre: Metals possess a high
lustre (called metallic lustre).
3. Hardness: Most of the metals are hard and strong (exceptions: sodium
and potassium can be cut with a knife)
4. Melting point and
Boiling point: Usually, metals possess high melting and boiling points and
vaporize only at high temperatures (exceptions: gallium, mercury, sodium and
potassium).
5. Density: Metals have a high density (exceptions: sodium and
potassium are less dense than water).
6.
Ductility: Metals
are usually ductile. In other words, they can be drawn into thin wires without
breaking.
7.
Malleability: Metals
are usually malleable, i.e, they can be beaten into thin sheets without
cracking (except zinc and mercury).
8.
Conduction of heat and electricity: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity;
silver and copper excel in this property (exception: tungsten)
9.
Solubility: Usually,
metals do not dissolve in liquid solvents.
1. Valence electrons: Atoms of metals usually have 1,2 or 3
electrons in their outermost shell.
2.
Formation of ions: Metals form Positive ions by the loss of electrons
and hence they are electro positive.
3. Discharge of ions: Metals are discharged at the cathode
during the electrolysis of their compounds.
4. Atomicity: Molecules of metals in their vapour state are usually
monoatomic.
5. Nature of oxides: Oxides of metals are usually
basic.
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