Metals

• Properties of metals

  -high melting and boiling point

  -good conductors of heat and electricity

  -malleable and ductile
• malleable - able to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking
• ductile - able to be drawn out into wires
• Uses of aluminium

  -aeroplane bodies

  -power cables

  -sauce pans

  -food cans

  -window frames
• Uses of copper

  -electrical wires

  -water pipes
• Uses of steel

  -pure iron is not useful its too soft and rusts easily
• Rusting

  -rust is a chemical reaction between iron, water, and oxygen

  -oxygen and water must be present for rust to occur
• The metallic element present in steel that reacts to form rust

  -iron oxide
• Rust forms when iron, oxygen, water, or moisture come into contact
• Rust can be prevented by coating iron with barriers such as

  -paint

  -plastic

  -grease

  -oil
• Metals that react with water

  -potassium (K)

  -sodium (Na)

  -Calcium (Ca)
• Metals that react with steam

  -Magnesium (Mg)

  -Aluminium (Al)
• Displacement reaction - stronger one will displace weaker one
• Most reactive metals - are obtained by electrolysis
• Middle reactive metals - are obtained from their oxides by reaction with carbon
• Least reactive metals - are found as a pure element
• Iron is easily magnetized
• Copper is used as the conductor in electric cables
• Uranium is used as a fuel in nuclear power stations
• Lead is a good absorber of gamma radiation