Question

Mention the physical properties of metals.

Answer 1

Physical properties of metals:-

Physical state -

• All metals are solid at room temperature. Exception - Mercury is liquid at room temperature.

Colour -

• Most metals except gold and silver are silvery-grey in colour.
• Copper is reddish-brown and gold is golden yellow.

Appearance-

• All metals have a shiny surface that is called metallic lustre.
• Metals can be easily polished.

Hardness-

• Most metals are hard except sodium and potassium which can be easily cut with a knife.
• Osmium is hard enough to scratch glass.

Tensile strength -

• Metals are very strong and have high tensile strength.
• Example -Iron can bear lots of stress.

Malleability -

• Metals are malleable that can be hammered into thin sheets.

Ductility -

• Metals are ductile that can be drawn into thin wire.
• Example- Gold and silver can be drawn into very thin wires.

Conductivity -

• Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.
• Silver is the best conductor of electricity.
• Copper is the next best conductor of electricity.

Density -

• Metals have high density.
• Except sodium and potassium have lower densities.

Sonority -

• Metals are sonorous.
• Metals when hit by a hammer produce a ringing sound.
• So that they are used in making electrical bells and wires of musical instruments.