Physical Properties of Metals - Teachoo.png

Malleability

Metals are malleable, that is, they can be broken down into thin sheets without breaking. 

  • Example : Aluminium, Iron
  • Exceptions : Zinc, Arsenic, Mercury

Ductility 

Metals are ductile, that is, they can be stretched to make thin wires without breaking.

  • Example : Copper, Aluminium
  • Exceptions : Mercury, Zinc 

Luster (or Shine)

All metals have a shiny surface. They are lustrous. Though, they can lose their luster by getting corroded  

  • Example : Copper, Aluminium, Gold
  • Exceptions : No- exceptions

Heat Conductivity

Metals are good conductors of heat, that is why frying pans are made of metals.

  • Example : Silver, Copper
  • Exceptions : Mercury, Lead

 

Electrical Conductivity

Metals are good conductors of heat, that is why they are used to make electrical wires

  • Example : Silver, Copper
  • Exceptions : Mercury, Lead

 

Hardness

Most metals are hard . This hardness varies from metal to metal.

  • Example : Aluminium, Iron
  • Exceptions : Sodium, Potassium

Solids 

Metals are solid at room temperature.  

  • Example : Aluminium, Iron
  • Exceptions : Mercury

Melting and Boiling points

Metals have high melting and boiling points . (>1000°C)

  • Example : Tungsten, Gold, Silver, Copper
  • Exceptions : Sodium, Potassium, Mercury, Gallium, Cesium 



Sonority

Metals are sonorous. They make sounds when hit. 

  • Example : Tin, Silver, Gold, Copper, Iron
  • Exceptions : Mercury

 

Summary of Physical Properties of Metals

Property

Definition

Examples 

Exceptions

Malleability

Being beaten into thin sheets without breaking is called malleability.

Silver, Gold, Copper, Iron, Aluminium

Zinc, Arsenic, Mercury

Ductility

Property of being stretched into long wires without breaking.

Gold is the most ductile metal. Silver, copper are also ductile.

Mercury, Zinc, 

Lustre

The shine of a material is called lustre.

All metals show lustre.

None

Good conductor of heat

Property to withstand high temperatures without melting

Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Gold and Silver

Mercury, Lead

Good conductor of electricity

Property of letting electric current pass through it

Silver, Gold, Copper, Aluminium

Tungsten 

Hardness

The property of being hard in nature and resisting easy breakage.

Iron, Copper, Aluminium, Zinc

Sodium metal can be cut with a knife, it is soft in nature.

Solidity

Metals are solid at room temperature.

Iron, Zinc

Mercury

Sonority

Producing a ringing sound when struck

Tin, Silver, Gold, Copper, Iron

Mercury

High Melting Point

The temperature at which it transforms from a solid to liquid state

Tungsten, Gold, Silver, Copper

Sodium, Potassium, Gallium and Caesium

High Boiling Point

The temperature at which vapour state is reached

Tungsten, Gold, Silver

Sodium, Potassium,

Mercury

Solid Metals

Compact, Rigid shape

All metals

Mercury

 

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo