Properties of MetalsOxford AQA IGCSE Chemistry: Flashcards

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Name three physical properties common to most metals.

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Name three physical properties common to most metals.: Good conductors of heat and electricity, malleable, ductile (also lustrous, high melting point, dense).
What does 'malleable' mean?: Can be hammered or bent into shape without breaking.
What does 'ductile' mean?: Can be drawn out into a wire.
What are delocalised electrons?: Electrons that are free to move through the whole metal structure rather than staying attached to one atom.
Why do metals conduct electricity?: Delocalised electrons are free to move and carry electrical charge through the structure.
Why do metals conduct heat well?: Delocalised electrons transfer kinetic energy quickly through the structure.
Why can metals be bent and hammered into shape?: Layers of atoms/ions can slide over each other without breaking the metallic bonding.
What is metallic bonding?: The strong electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and delocalised electrons.
Why is metallic bonding described as 'non-directional'?: Because each positive ion is attracted equally to the surrounding electrons in all directions, not to one specific neighbour, so layers can slide.
Give one metal property caused by strong metallic bonding.: High melting and boiling point (needs a lot of energy to break the electrostatic attraction).
What structure do metals form?: A giant structure of positive ions arranged in regular layers, surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
What is a sonorous material?: One that makes a ringing sound when struck — a typical metal property.