Question

34) Mention some specific properties of metals

Answer 1

Part I - Definition of metal

• The substances that are hard and shiny and have the capability of conducting heat and electricity are known as metals.
• Metals have a high capability of forming cations and thus they form ionic bonds readily.

Part II - Properties of metals

Physical Properties -

• They have a shiny appearance
• They have high melting points
• They are good conductors of electricity
• They have the capacity of holding heavyweights, and thus have the high tensile strength
• They are much hard and are not easily cut off.
• They are highly ductile and hence can be drawn into wires easily
• They are highly malleable and hence they can be drawn into sheets easily.

Chemical Properties -

• Reaction with Oxygen - When metals react with oxygen it readily forms metal oxide.
• Magnesium$\left(\mathrm{Mg}\right)$ reacts with oxygen$\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ to form magnesium oxide$\left(\mathrm{MgO}\right)$.

$2\mathrm{Mg}+{\mathrm{O}}_2\to 2\mathrm{MgO}$

• Reaction with water - When a metal reacts with water it leads to the formation of metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
• Sodium$\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$ reacts with water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ to form sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$ and hydrogen gas$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$.

$2\mathrm{Na}+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to 2\mathrm{NaOH}+{\mathrm{H}}_2$