CHAPTER 2. CLASSIFICATION OF MATTER 2.5
Metals ESAAE
Examples of metals include copper (Cu), zinc
(Zn), gold (Au), silver (Ag), tin (Sn) and lead
(Pb). The following are some of the properties
of metals:
Copper wire- Thermal conductors
Metals are good conductors of heat and are therefore used in cooking utensils such
as pots and pans. - Electrical conductors
Metals are good conductors of electricity, and are therefore used in electrical con-
ducting wires. - Shiny metallic lustre
Metals have a characteristic shiny appearance and are often used to make jewellery. - Malleable and ductile
This means that they can be bent into shape without breaking (malleable) and can be
stretched into thin wires (ductile) such as copper. - Melting point
Metals usually have a high melting point and can therefore be used to make cooking
pots and other equipment that needs to become very hot, without being damaged. - Density
Metals have a high density. - Magnetic properties
Only three main metals (iron, cobalt and nickel) are magnetic, the others are non-
magnetic.
You can see how the properties of metals make them very useful in certain applications.
Chemistry: Matter and Materials 43