Metals

IEPJ C Betty Lo May. 19
Science Assignment: Metals

Chemical Properties
Metals are usually inclined to form cations through electron loss; reacting with oxygen in the air to form oxides over changing timescales (iron rusts over years, while potassium burns in seconds). The alkali metals are the most volatile, followed by the alkaline earth metals, found in the leftmost two groups of the periodic table. The ease and speed with which an element combines, or reacts, with other elements and compounds is called its reactivity. Metals usually react by losing electrons to other atoms. The reactivities of other metals fall somewhere between those of sodium and gold. Iron, for example, reacts slowly with oxygen in the air, forming iron oxide, or rust.

Physical Properties
Metals in general have superior electric and thermal conductivity, high luster and density, and the ability to be deformed under stress without cleaving. While there are several metals that have low density, hardness, and melting points, these (the alkali and alkaline earth metals) are extremely reactive, and are rarely encountered in their elemental, metallic form. The physical properties of metals include shininess, malleability, ductility, and conductivity. A malleable material is one that can be hammered or rolled into flat sheets and other shapes.

Alkali Metals
From lithium to francium, are called the alkali metals. Alkali metals react with other elements by losing on electron.

Alkali Earth Metals
Group 2 of the periodic table contains the alkaline earth metals. Each is fairly hard, gray-white, and a good conductor of electricity. Alkaline earth metals react by losing two electrons.

Transition Metals
The elements in Groups 3 through 13 are called the transition metals. The trasition metals include most of the familiar metals, such as iron, copper, nickel, silver, and gold.