Question

An element is sonorous and highly ductile. Under which category would you classify this element? What other characteristics do you expect the element to possess?

Answer 1

Sonorous: When a metal produces a deep ringing sound on being struck with a hard object, it is said to be sonorous and the property of being sonorous is called the property of sonority.

• The property of sonority and ductility is associated with metals.

So the given element which is sonorous and highly ductile can be classified as a metal.

Metals:

• Metals are the elements that are electropositive in nature i.e.; they have a tendency to lose electrons easily.
• The given metal is expected to possess all the other general physical and chemical properties of metals.
• Examples: Aluminium $\left(\mathrm{Al}\right)$, Sodium $\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$, Silver $\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$ etc.

Characteristics:

• This metal is expected to be lustrous in nature i.e.; have a shiny surface.
• It is expected to be a good conductor of electricity and heat i.e.; allow electricity and heat to pass through it.
• It has a high density and high melting point.
• It has ductility i.e.; tendency to be drawn into wires and malleable i.e.; can be beaten into sheets.
• It is expected to be a good reducing agent i.e.; it can easily lose electrons and get oxidised. Example: Oxidation of silver
• $\underset{\left(\mathrm{Silver}\right)}{\mathrm{Ag}}\to \underset{(\mathrm{Silver}\mathrm{cation})}{{\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}}+\underset{\left(\mathrm{Electron}\right)}{{\mathrm{e}}^{-}}$