Understanding Metals and Their Properties

Introduction to Metals

• Lesson Overview: Focus on metals and their properties
• Key Questions:
  • What elements are metals?
  • What are the properties of metals?

Vocabulary Terms

• Metal: A solid, shiny substance that can conduct heat and electricity.
• Luster: The ability of a metal to reflect light.
• Ductility: The ability of a metal to be stretched into a wire.
• Malleability: The ability of a metal to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.
• Alkali Metals: Group 1 elements that are highly reactive.
• Alkaline Earth Metals: Group 2 elements that are somewhat reactive.
• Transition Elements: Metals found in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table with varying properties.

Characteristics of Metals

• Appearance: Metals usually have a shiny appearance, known as metallic luster.
• Common Examples: Stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and gold.
• Metals on the Periodic Table:
  • More than three-quarters of known elements are metals.
  • Groups 1-12 and some elements in groups 13-15 are metals.

Physical Properties of Metals

• Generally shiny
• Good conductors of electricity and thermal energy
• Can be pulled into wires (ductility) and hammered into sheets (malleability)
• Gold: A significant metal exhibiting properties such as:
  • High ductility: Can be drawn into a wire over 3 kilometers long.
  • High malleability: Can be hammered into thin sheets.
  • Density, strength, boiling point, and melting point typically greater than non-metals.
  • Gold is unreactive, resistant to corrosion, and visually appealing, leading to its common use in jewelry.

Chemical Properties of Metals

• Chemical properties reflect the substance's ability to undergo change.
• Metals in the same group tend to have similar chemical properties.
• Alkali Metals (group 1) are highly reactive, often found in compounds instead of as free elements. Examples include:
  • Lithium, Sodium, Potassium - react quickly with oxygen and moisture.
• Alkaline Earth Metals (group 2) are also reactive but not as much as alkali metals. Examples include:
  • Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium

Specific Case Studies of Metals

• Copper: Used for electrical wiring due to its conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It can also develop a protective patina when oxidized.
• Gold and Silver: In Group 11, gold and silver are unreactive, often used in jewelry and electronics.
• Alkali Metals: Highly reactive and stored under oil to prevent reactions with moisture and oxygen.
• Transition Metals: Include familiar metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, known for forming compounds and colorful compounds used in art.

Trends in Metallic Properties

• Across Periodic Table: Metallic properties increase from right to left.
• Vertical Groups: Metallic properties increase down a group.
• Conclusion: Based on properties and trends, the most metallic element is Francium.