ESCI 100 (Metals)

Metals

• fascinating and essential category of elements that have played a pivotal role in shaping human civilization for millennia

• known for their luster, malleability, and exceptional conductivity

• building blocks of modern technology and infrastructure

Alkali Metals

• known for their low density, high reactivity, and the tendency to form strong alkali solutions when they react with water

• have one valence electron, making them highly reactive and prone to losing that electron to form a +1 cation

Alkali Earth Metals

• Metals that has two valence electrons, which they tend to lose to form 2 cations

• They have various uses, including in structural materials, in the manufacture of fireworks, and in certain medical applications

Transition Metals

• characterized by their partially filled d orbitals, which gives them unique properties

• Has a wide range of applications, including in the production of metals and alloys, catalysts for chemical reactions, and as essential elements for biological processes

• Has ability to form variable oxidation states and complex compounds makes them versatile in various chemical reactions and industrial processes

Lanthanides

• a.k.a rare earth elements

• Known for their bright, colorful compounds and are used in various high tech applications, including in the production of strong permanent magnets, phosphors for color televisions, and catalysts in the petroleum industry

Actinides

These elements, including well known ones like uranium and thorium are radioactive and exhibit a wide range of oxidation states Uranium, for example, is essential for nuclear power and nuclear weapons Other actinides have uses in research, especially in nuclear physics and chemistry

Physical Properties of Metals

• Malleability

• Ductility

• Hardness

• Melting and Boiling points

• Density

• Luster

• Heat conductivity

• Electrical conductivity

• Magnetic properties

Chemical Properties of Metal

• Reactivity

• Oxidation

• Flammability

• Toxicity

• Radioactivity

Alloys

substance that combines more than one metal or mixes a metal with other non-metallic elements

Characteristics of Alloy

In general, alloy stronger, harder, more durable, and sometimes more corrosion resistant than their pure metal counterparts .

Steel

• high strength, low weight, durable, ductile and corrosive resistant

• Can be recycled over and over again without loss of property

• world’s most important engineering and construction material

Bronzes

• copper-based alloys, major alloying elements are often, but not always, zinc and tin

• they offer a combination of properties such as high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance

Metal Reactivity

• a list in which metals are arranged in the decreasing order of their chemical activity

• Displacement reaction - a metal higher up in the reactivity series displaces all other metals in a compound, which lies below it

Application of Metals in ABE

Sheet metal is used in the creation of a wide variety of agricultural equipment, such as barns, silos, harvesting tools (including tractors and hay balers), greenhouses, livestock management equipment, and general operation equipment like forklifts and irrigation systems

Application of Metal in our Daily Life

• Iron - the use of utensils, machines, and equipment used of different purpose are made from iron or steel

• Copper - can be seen majorly in electric wiring

• Gold and Silver - used in making jewelry

• Liquid mercury - used in making thermometer

• Zinc - used for galvanizing iron to stop it from rusting