Combined Science (Chemistry): METALS

Properties of metals

Physical properties

Metals have high melting points (except mercury which is a liquid at

room temperature)
They are shiny
They are malleable and ductile

o Malleable: can be hammered into sheets

o Ductile: can be pulled into wires (because it is easy for the atoms in
pure metals to slide over one another)

They are sonorous (gives a ringing sound when hit)

They are good conductors of heat and electricity (except for carbon
(graphite), which is a poor conductor of heat and electricity)

They have high density (except sodium)

Uses of metals

Metal Properties Uses

Aluminium Relatively light and Making of aircraft
strong. Resistant to
corrosion.
Tin Unreactive and non- Coating steel can,
toxic prevent it from rusting
Zinc Relatively reactive Galvanised iron, prevent
it from rusting
Copper Good conductor of Electrical wiring
electricity

Alloys

Definition: A mixture of metal with one or a few of other elements.

Pure metals are weak because the layers of atoms slide over each other
easily.
 In an alloy of 2 metals, they have different sizes of atoms so this disrupts
the orderly layer of atoms making it difficult for atoms to slide over.
Hence, alloys are stronger than pure metals.

Examples of alloys:

1. Steel mixture of iron, little carbon and trace elements

2. Brass mixture of copper and zinc (tough and corrosive resistant)
3. Coin metals mixture of copper and other metals e.g nickel (tough,
resistant and stand up to wear)
4. Stainless steel alloy of iron containing chromium or nickel.

Uses of alloys

- Cutleries (spoons, forks, knives)

- Medical instruments for hospital operations
- Kitchen sinks
- Steel objects in chemical factories and oil refineries