Physical Properties

Property

Metals

Reason(s)

Appearance

Shiny surfaces

The electrons in the metal are relatively free to move about which means they have a lot of possible energy states and can absorb incoming radiation usually well.

Melting and Boiling Point

Usually high

Strong forces of attraction between the sea of negativity charged electrons and he positive metal ions.

Physical State

Solid

Metals are held strongly to each other by metallic bonding.

Density

Usually high

The atoms are held together by a sea of electrons,

which keeps them very close

Strength

Strong and tough

Metal are strong because their particles are stable and very close together. This is also the reason why they are heavy.

Ease of Shaping

Can be bend and Stretched without breaking

Layers of metal atoms can slide over each other without disrupting the metallic bonding. Hence. Metallic bonds are strong and flexible.

Chemical Properties

Reaction of Metals with Oxygen

Sodium metal reacts with the oxygen of the air at room temperature to form sodium oxide. Hence, sodium is stored under kerosene to prevent its reaction with oxygen, moisture and carbon dioxide.

Sodium oxide is a basic oxide which reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide.

Mg does not react with oxygen at room temperature. On heating, Mg burns in air with intense light and heat to form MgO.

Zinc metal burns in air only on strong heating to form zinc oxide.

Iron metal does not burn in dry air even on strong heating. In moist air, iron is oxidized to give rust.

On heating in air iron burns with a brilliant flame forming triferric tetroxide.

Copper is the least reactive metal and does not burn in air even on heating. However, on prolonged strong heating copper reacts with oxygen and forms copper (II) oxide (CuO) outside and copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) inside.

Gold and platinum do not react with oxygen in air.

Reaction of Metals with Water

Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium react with cold water.

Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.

Metals from magnesium to iron in the activity series of metals react with steam (but not H2O) to form the metal oxide and hydrogen gas.

Red hot iron reacts with steam to form Iron (II, III) oxide.

Reaction of Metals with Acids

Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium react violently with dilute H2SO4and dilute HCl, forming the metal salt (either sulphate or chloride) and hydrogen gas. The reaction is similar to the reaction with water.

Magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, tin and lead react safely with dilute acid. Magnesium is the fastest and lead is the slowest of the six.

Mechanical Properties

(1) Strength. The strength of a material is the property of resistance to external loads or stresses while not causing structural damage.Thestrongest substance known is tungsten molybdenum; titanium and nickel follow in order of strength of commercially pure metals.

(2) Elasticity. Elasticity is the ability of material to return to its original size, shape, and dimensions after being deformed any material that is subjected to an external load is distorted or strained.

(4) Ductility. Ductility is the capacity of a material, such as copper, to be drawn or stretched under tension loading and permanently deformed without rupture or fracture. Specifically, the term denotes the capacity to be drawn from a larger to a smaller diameter of wire. This operation involves both elongation and reductionofarea

(5) Malleability. Malleability is the property of a metal to be deformed or compressed permanently without rupture or fracture. Specifically, it means the capacity to be rolled or hammered into thin sheets. Lead and tin are relatively high in order of malleability; however, they lack the necessary tensile strength to be drawn into fine wire. Most metals have increased malleability and ductility at higher temperatures. For example, iron and nickel are very malleable whenheatedbright red.

(8) Hardness. Hardness is the ability of a material to resist penetration and wear by another material.

Uses, Application, and Examples

Iron. - This is the most useful metal we have. When it is pure it has a silvery color, is very tenacious, which means that it is tough; it is malleable, that is it can be hammered without cracking, and it is ductile in that it can be drawn out into wire without breaking.

Uses: buildings, machinery, transportation, household appliances, etc.

Tin. - This is a white metal that looks very much like silver, and it is so malleable that it can be hammered out into very thin sheets and which you know so well as tin-foil.

Uses: construction of buildings and roofs, for joining metal parts, for storage containers, etc.

Zinc. - This is a bluish white metal and though it is sometimes found in a pure state it is usually found in combination with other elements. Zinc is easy to cut and when mixed with copper it forms the alloy we know as brass.

Uses: automobiles, electrical components, and household fixtures

Lead. - This is the softest metal known and it has a bluish-gray color. It is very heavy and melts at a low temperature.

Uses: making water-pipes, utensils, batteries etc.

References:

http://www.slideshare.net/Arrehome/metals-physical-properties

http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2000-11/975346876.Ch.r.html

http://www.tutorvista.com/content/science/science-ii/metals-non-metals/chemical-properties-metals.php

http://opensourcemachine.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/us-army-machinist-course-metal-properties-characteristics-uses-and-codes-od1643-ww.pdf

http://chestofbooks.com/home-improvement/woodworking/Handicraft-For-Boys/Metals-and-their-Uses.html#.Va4kuPmqqko