CK-12 Physical Science Concepts - For Middle School

2.47. Metals http://www.ck12.org

Summary

• Metals are elements that can conduct electricity. Most elements are metals.


• All metals except for mercury are solids at room temperature. Many metals are shiny, ductile, and malleable.
  Most are also good conductors of heat.


• Electricity is a flow of electrons. Atoms of metals tend to give up electrons, explaining why they are good
  conductors of electricity. The tendency to give up electrons also explains many of the other properties of
  metals.

Vocabulary

• metal: Class of elements that are good conductors of electricity.

Explore More

At the following URL, click on any one of the metals in the interactive periodic table. Read the information provided
about your choice of metal, and then make a poster demonstrating its structures, properties, and uses.

http://www.ptable.com/

Review

1. What are metals?


2. List several properties of metals.


3. Explain why metals can conduct electricity.