More than 75% of the elements in the periodic table are metals. Metals are extremely useful materials with a wide variety of uses. This is due to the fact that they have a range of useful physical properties.
all metals are :
- good conductors of heat and electricity
most metals are:
- shiny when freshly cut
- high melting point solids
- ductile and malleable
many metals are:
- strong
- sonorous
Assumed background knowledge:
1.52C Activity 1. Representing metals
Students should:
- 1.52C know how to represent a metallic lattice by a 2-D diagram
You will have seen in earlier topics how metals tend to form positively charged ions. This happens when the metal atoms lose electrons. In metal atoms the outer shell of electrons is not held strongly to the atom. This means the outermost electrons can move freely throughout the structure.
Since electrons are negatively charged ( and occupying the spaces between the positive ions) the attraction that exists between these opposite charges results in strong bonding within the lattice.
1.53 - 1.54. Activity 2. Metallic bonding
Students should:
- 1.53C understand metallic bonding in terms of electrostatic attractions
1.54 Activity 3. Metallic properties
Students should:
- 1.54C explain typical physical properties of metals, including electrical conductivity and malleability