History of Metals

Metals have shaped human society and technical developments

over thousands of years, making their history fascinating. Here is
a quick outline of the progression of metals over time:

Early Metal Use

• The history of refined metals is thought to have started
around 11,000 years ago with the usage of copper.

• Gold, silver, iron (as meteoric iron), lead, and brass were
also used before the advent of bronze in the fifth millennium
BCE.

• Precious metals, such as gold, were previously used as coins.

Bronze and Iron Age

• The concept of grouping prehistoric years into metal-based
systems arose in European history, with important periods
being the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.

• The Bronze Age saw the introduction of bronze tools and

weapons, followed by the Iron Age, in which iron became the
dominant material.

Modern Advancements
• Titanium, known since 1791, became valuable in the 1940s
as advances in metallurgy enabled for the removal of
impurities.

• Silicon was found in 1823, and aluminum in 1827.

Aluminum is the most prevalent metal in the Earth's crust.

Current Metal Production

 • In 2022, aluminum accounted for about 40% of worldwide
industrial metal production, with China leading the way.

• Technology metals like tin, rare earth oxides, and lithium

have increased prominence due to their usage in modern
technology.

USES AND IMPORTANCE OF METALS:

Metals are crucial materials with varied applications and significance in all
aspects of our life. Here's a basic and concise list of their applications and
significance.

1. Construction: Metals like iron, steel, and aluminum are used in high-rise
buildings, bridges, and vehicles due to their strength and resilience
2. Manufacturing: Metals are used in manufacturing processes to create a
wide range of products, from appliances to tools
3. Transportation: Metals are crucial for transportation, as they are used in
the production of cars, trains, and planes
4. Electronics: Metals are essential in the production of electronic devices,
such as computers, smartphones, and televisions
5. Biomedical Devices: Metals like stainless steel and titanium alloys are
commonly used in biomedical devices, such as joint replacement parts
6. Decorative Arts: Shiny metals like copper, silver, and gold are often used
for decorative arts, jewelry, and coins
7. Coinage: Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum were historically
used as coinage, and in the modern era, coinage metals have extended to
at least 23 of the chemical elements
8. Energy: Metals are tremendously important to a high-energy society, as
they transport electricity in the electrical grid and provide various
services

Metals' versatility and unique properties make them indispensable across

various sectors of daily life and industries, contributing significantly to
technological advancements and infrastructure development.
Composition of metals:

Composition of metals
Metals are chemical elements with lustrous appearance, good
electrical and heat conductivity, and are ductile and malleable,
with their composition influenced by their chemical properties
and physical characteristics.

Chemical Properties:

Electron Configuration: Metals tend to lose electrons from their

outer shell, resulting in a positive charge

Bonding: Metals form metallic bonds, in which the outer electrons

of atoms get delocalized and the atomic structure is viewed as a
group of atoms.

Reactivity: Metals can react with nonmetals to generate ionic

compounds and with other metals to form alloys.

Oxidation: Metals react with oxygen to produce oxides, which can

be acidic or basic depending on the metal.

Physical characteristics:
Atomic. Structure: Metals have a relatively basic crystal structure,
with atoms packed close together and a high degree of symmetry.

Density: Metals vary greatly in density, with some being light (e.g.,
lithium, aluminum, and titanium) and others being dense (e.g.,
iron and osmium).
Conductivity: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity,
which is vital for their usage in many applications.

Ductility and Malleability: Metals may be pulled into wires and

hammered into thin sheets, making them valuable for a variety of
industrial applications.

Common metals
Alkali metals: such as lithium, sodium, and potassium, are
extremely reactive and have low densities.

Alkaline earth metals: such as calcium, strontium, and barium,

are less reactive than alkali metals and have higher densities.

Transition Metals: Iron, copper, and silver are examples of

transition metals. They have more complicated electron
configurations and display a wide range of chemical and physical
properties.

Rare Earth Metals: Examples include lanthanum, cerium, and

neodymium, which are frequently utilized in electronics due to
their unusual magnetic and optical qualities

Noble metals: such as gold, silver, and platinum, are highly

resistant to corrosion and have special electrical properties.

Alloys and compounds.

Alloys, or combinations of two or more metals, can be formed

when metals combine. They can create compounds with
nonmetals, such as metal oxides, sulfides, and halides.
These compounds and alloys frequently have properties that
differ from those of individual metals, making them suitable for a
variety of applications.

Properties of metals:

Metals are materials that have unique properties, making them useful in various
applications. Here are the key properties of metals:

Physical Properties

Luster: Metals have a shiny appearance when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured

Malleability: Metals can be hammered into thin sheets

Ductility: Metals can be drawn into wires

Conductivity: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity

Density: Metals have a wide range of densities, from light (aluminum, titanium) to heavy
(iridium, osmium)
Melting and Boiling Points: Metals have high melting and boiling points

Chemical Properties

Electron Behavior: Metals lose electrons from their outer shell, forming positive ions

Bonding: Metals form metallic bonds, where electrons are delocalized and the atomic
structure can be visualized as a collection of atoms

Reactivity: Metals react with non-metals to form ionic compounds and can also react
with other metals to form alloys

Oxidation: Metals react with oxygen to form oxides, which can be either acidic or basic
depending on the metal