Metals and Their Compounds

                           Metals and Their Compounds

                               These are three type of elements- Metals, Non-metals and Metalloids. More then 90 of the presently known elements exhibit metallic properties. Along with many metals, these compounds are also very important in our lives. Calcium is present in bones. iron in the blood and magnesium in the center of a compound called chlorophyll, which is the cause of greening of plants.

                               The characteristic properties of metals are different from non-metals. Metals are on the left and center of the periodic tables.

                                        

                              All the element of S block, p block, d block and f block except hydrogen are metal while non-metal and located on the right side. They can be mounted on the right side. they can be mounted on a step. Elements on the stairs (Si, Ge, As, Sb and Te) have properties of both metals and non-metals which are called sub-metals.

                              Major among the non-metallic elements are hydrogen, boron, carbon, silicon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, halogen and inert gases.

                           

                                                               Metal   

                                   Elements that have a tendency to give up electrons and form cations are called metals. Gold, Silver, lead, iron, mercury etc. are some example of metal.

                             General Properties of Metals

                        The properties of metals can be divided into two part physical properties and chemical properties.

                            Physical Properties of Metals

Malleability

                    Malleability is the conversion of the metal into a thin layer on hammer beating.

Ductility

             Ductility is the stretching of metals into thin wire.

Thermal Conductivity

              All metals are conductors of heat. The best metal in conductivity is silver and the lowest conductive metal is lead.

Electric Conductivity

              High electrical conductivity is indicated by metal. The best electrical conductivity is represented by silver and copper, second place is gold, aluminum and tungsten. Mercury and iron exhibit greater resistance to electric current.  

Melting point and Boiling point

               The melting point and boiling point of metal are high.

Density

              The density of metal is higher then water Osmium is the heaviest metal.

Hardness

             Generally, metals are hard but alkaline metal like sodium, potassium and lithium are soft. It is possible to cut them with a knife.

Metallic Lusture

               Generally, all metal are shiny. Their luster is called metallic lustre.

Sonorous

               Sound is usually product by beating metals. This property of metals is used in making temple bells, school bells etc.