Physical and chemical properties of metals

There are technological, physical, mechanical and chemical properties of metals. The specific weight, color, electrical conductivity are referred to the physical. The characteristics of this group also include thermal conductivity, fusibility and density of the metal.

The mechanical characteristics include plasticity, elasticity, hardness, strength, viscosity.

The chemical properties of metals include corrosion resistance, solubility and oxidizability.

Such characteristics as "fluidity", hardenability, weldability, ductility, are technological.

Physical properties

1. Colour. Metals do not let light through, that is, opaque. In reflected light each element has its own shade - color. Among the technical metals, only copper and alloys with copper have a color. For the rest of the elements, the shade is from silvery white to gray-steel.
2. Fusibility. This characteristic indicates the ability of an element under the influence of temperature to go into a liquid state from a solid. Fusibility is considered the most important property of metals. In the process of heating, all metals from the solid state become liquid. When the molten substance is cooled, an inverse transition occurs-from the liquid to the solid state.
3. Electrical conductivity. This characteristic indicates the ability to transfer free electrons to electricity. The electrical conductivity of metal bodies is thousands of times greater than that of nonmetallic bodies. As the temperature increases, the conductivity index of electricity decreases, and when the temperature decreases, it increases accordingly. It should be noted that the electrical conductivity of alloys will always be lower than any metal that makes up the alloy.
4. Magnetic properties. To the clearly magnetic (ferromagnetic) elements, only cobalt, nickel, iron, and a number of their alloys are considered. However, during the heating to a certain temperature, these substances lose their magnetic properties. Individual iron alloys at room temperature are not ferromagnetic.
5. Thermal conductivity. This characteristic indicates the ability of the heat transfer to the less heated from the more heated body without visible movement of its constituent particles. A high level of thermal conductivity allows the metals to be heated and cooled evenly and quickly. Among the technical elements, copper is the most significant indicator.

Metals in chemistry occupy a separate place. The presence of appropriate characteristics makes it possible to use a particular substance in a certain area.

Chemical properties of metals

1. Corrosion resistance. Corrosion refers to the destruction of a substance as a result of an electrochemical or chemical relationship with the environment. The most common example is rusting of iron. Corrosion resistance refers to the most important natural characteristics of a number of metals. In this regard, substances such as silver, gold, platinum were called noble. Nickel and other non-ferrous metals have high corrosion resistance . Ferrous metals are subject to destruction faster and stronger than color metals .
2. Oxidability. This characteristic indicates the ability of the element to react with O2 under the influence of oxidants.
3. Solubility. Metals, which have an unlimited solubility in the liquid state, can form solid solutions upon solidification. In these solutions, atoms from one component are embedded in the crystal lattice of the other component only within certain limits.

It should be noted that the physical and chemical properties of metals are one of the main characteristics of these elements.