Headings
Search
Questions
What are the Properties of Metals?
It is the free electrons (delocalised
electrons)
that give metals their properties.
1. The free electrons cause metals to conduct
heat and
electricity.
2. The free electrons
allow the metal ions to
slide over each other.
This makes metals malleable which means that they are soft,
easily bent and
shaped, and can be pressed or beaten
into thin sheets.
Metals
are ductile which means that they
can be drawn down into wires.
3. The free electrons hold the structure together as
if the
metal ions
were in a
"glue" (called a "sea of
electrons").
Delocalised
electrons hold the ions together
by strong electrostatic forces.
This gives metals high
melting points and
boiling points.
They are all solid at room temperature
except mercury, which is liquid.
The properties of a metal can be changed by mixing in
other elements to make an
alloy.
gcsescience.com Contents The Periodic Table Index Quizzes gcsescience.com
Copyright © 2012 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.