Metals

• What are some useful properties of metals?

  Metals are hard, dense, lustrous, and have high melting and boiling points.
• What type of bonding exists in metals?

  Metallic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between positive ions and delocalised electrons.
• How do the outer electrons behave in metals?

  The outer electrons can move freely, forming a 'sea' of delocalised electrons.
• Why do metals have high melting and boiling points?

  Because of the strong metallic bonds that require a lot of energy to break.
• Where do metals generally appear on the periodic table?

  Metals generally hang out on the left-hand side of the periodic table.
• What happens to metal atoms to achieve a full outer shell?

  Metal atoms lose electrons to become positive ions, achieving a full outer shell.
• What is the tensile strength of metals?

  Metals have a high tensile strength, making them strong and hard to break.
• What does it mean for metals to be malleable?

  Malleable means metals can be hammered into different shapes.
• Why are metals good conductors of heat and electricity?

  Because of the sea of delocalised electrons that move freely through the metal.
• What do most metals react with to form metal oxides?

  Most metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides.
• What are the properties of most metal oxides at room temperature?

  Most metal oxides are solid at room temperature and form basic solutions.
• How do non-metal oxides behave in water?

  Non-metal oxides tend to form acidic solutions when dissolved in water.
• How can the properties of pure metals be altered?

  • By mixing them with other elements to create alloys.
  • Alloys have different properties from the main metal(s) they contain.
  • They may be stronger, more malleable, or more corrosion resistant.
• What are the general properties of non-metals compared to metals?

  Non-metals usually have low melting and boiling points, are weak and brittle, and have lower densities than metals.
• What is an exception to the general properties of non-metals?

  Carbon is an exception as it breaks some of the rules of non-metals.
• What are the differences between metals and non-metals?

  • Metals: high melting/boiling points, dense, good conductors, malleable, ductile.
  • Non-metals: low melting/boiling points, brittle, poor conductors, not malleable.