Properties of MetalsCambridge IGCSE Chemistry: Flashcards
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Define thermal conductivity.
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- Define thermal conductivity.
- The ability of a material to conduct heat energy through itself. Metals are excellent thermal conductors due to free electrons that can transfer heat energy rapidly.
- Define electrical conductivity.
- The ability of a material to allow electric current to flow through it. Metals are excellent electrical conductors because they contain free electrons that can move easily through the structure.
- Define malleability.
- The ability of a material to be hammered, beaten or pressed into different shapes without breaking. Metals are malleable because their layers of atoms can slide over each other without breaking bonds.
- Define ductility.
- The ability of a material to be drawn out into thin wires without breaking. Metals are ductile due to the flexibility of metallic bonding, which allows atoms to slide past each other.
- Compare the melting and boiling points of metals and non-metals.
- Metals generally have high melting and boiling points (with exceptions like mercury), whilst non-metals tend to have low melting and boiling points. This reflects the strong metallic bonding in metals compared to weak intermolecular forces in most non-metals.
- Describe the reaction of metals with dilute acids.
- Metals react with dilute acids to produce a salt and hydrogen gas. The general equation is: metal + dilute acid → salt + hydrogen. Reactivity increases down the group; more reactive metals react more vigorously.
- Write the general word equation for a metal reacting with a dilute acid.
- Metal + dilute acid → salt + hydrogen gas
- Describe the reaction of metals with cold water.
- Reactive metals (such as sodium and potassium) react with cold water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Less reactive metals either react very slowly or do not react with cold water.
- Write the general word equation for a reactive metal reacting with cold water.
- Metal + cold water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas
- Describe the reaction of metals with steam.
- Metals react with steam to produce a metal oxide and hydrogen gas. Less reactive metals that do not react with cold water may react with steam. The general equation is: metal + steam → metal oxide + hydrogen.
- Write the general word equation for a metal reacting with steam.
- Metal + steam → metal oxide + hydrogen gas
- Describe the reaction of metals with oxygen.
- Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides. Reactive metals burn brightly in oxygen, whilst less reactive metals may only react when heated. The reaction is: metal + oxygen → metal oxide.
- Write the general word equation for a metal reacting with oxygen.
- Metal + oxygen → metal oxide
- List three key physical properties that distinguish metals from non-metals.
- Thermal conductivity (metals conduct heat well), electrical conductivity (metals conduct electricity), and malleability/ductility (metals can be shaped and drawn into wires). Metals also typically have high melting and boiling points.
- Explain why metals are good thermal and electrical conductors in terms of their structure.
- Metals contain free electrons that are delocalised throughout the structure. These mobile electrons can transfer thermal energy rapidly and allow electric current to flow easily through the material.