Properties of Metals

• This presentation shows the main properties of metals and their meanings.

Malleable

• This property means that metals can be hit without shattering.

• They can be hammered into shape, even when cold and not break into lots of small pieces.

Shiny

• Most metals are silvery in colour, except copper and gold.

• Some go dull over time.

• All metals are shiny when freshly cut.

Conductors

• They are very good conductors of heat and electricity.

• This is why they are used for pots and pans and in electrical circuits to carry the current.

Ductile

• This property means that metals can stretched very thinly without them breaking.

• This is why they can be drawn out into wires.

Sonorous

• This property refers to the sound that metals make when they are hit.

• Metals make a ringing sound when they are struck.

Physical Properties of Non-Metals

Thermal Insulator

• Thermal insulators do not let heat pass through them.

• Wool is made out of non-metal elements like Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Sulphur

Brittle

• This means that it is likely to break if you drop it.

Electrical Insulator

• Non-Metals are poor electrical conductors.

• They therefore make good electrical insulators because they cannot conduct electricity

• The PVC coating on electrical wires is made of the non-metals Carbon, Hydrogen and Chlorine.

Dull

• Non-Metals do not have a shiny surface like metals.

• They are usually dull in appearance

Physical Properties of Non-Metals

• Thermal insulator

• Brittle

• Electrical insulator

• Dull