Property Reason
Physical High MP/ BP Strong metallic bonds
properties Large amount of heat energy needed to overcome these
bonds
Good conductors of Free moving electrons (move and carry charge)
electricity and heat
Malleable and Layers of +ve ions can easily slide over one another
ductile Do not disrupt metallic bonding (move with layers of
positive ions, maintaining electrostatic forces)
Shiny and hard -
Sonorous -
Chemical Reactivity 1. Metal + cold/ warm water metal hydroxide + hydrogen
properties 2. Metal + steam metal oxide + hydrogen
3. Metal + acid salt + water
4. Metal + oxygen metal oxide
Alloys
a mixture of (metal + metal) or (metal + non-metal)
more strength, hardness or resistance to corrosion or extreme temperatures
contain atoms of different sizes, which distorts the normally regular arrangements of atoms
in metals (more difficult for the layers to slide over each other)
Common alloys and their uses
1. Brass = copper + zinc and is much stronger than either metal
2. Alloys of iron + tungsten are extremely hard and resistant to high temperatures
3. Alloys of iron + chromium or nickel are resistant to corrosion
4. Aluminium + copper + manganese + silicon = aircraft body production as the alloy is stronger
but still has a low density
Thermal decomposition reactions
1. Metal hydroxides metal oxide + water (exp: group I hydroxides, but Li can)
2. Metal carbonates metal oxide + carbon dioxide (exp: group I carbonates, but Li can)
3. Metal nitrates metal nitrate + oxygen
Aluminium and its apparent lack of reactivity
doesn´t react with water or acids
surface of aluminium metal reacts with oxygen in the air forming a protective coating of
aluminium oxide
The aluminium oxide layer is tough, unreactive and resistant to corrosion
It adheres very strongly to the aluminium surface and protects it from reaction with other
substances, hence making it appear unreactive
Extraction of metals