The properties of metals
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Explainer Video
Summary
The properties of metals
In a nutshell
Metals have many properties that allow them to have a wide range of different uses. They are good conductors of both heat and electricity; they are also very strong as they have a high tensile strength and density. Some metals are magnetic and they are all ductile and malleable. Additionally, metals can be shiny and sonorous with a high melting and boiling point.
Properties summarised
Metals have similar properties. Below you will find a summary of the shared properties.
PROPERTY | FURTHER INFORMATION | USES |
| Good electrical conductor | Metals allow electrical current to pass through easily. | Wires  |
| Good thermal conductor | Metals allow heat energy to transfer easily from a hot place to a cold place. | Pots and pans  |
| Shiny | Any metal which is polished will reflect light well on the smooth surfaces which is the reason for its shininess. | Metal railings and plates  |
| High tensile strength | Can be pulled hard without stretching or breaking. | Building material |
| Sonorous | The 'dong/gong' sound a metal makes when hit. | Gong  |
| Malleable | Metals can be hammered easily into the shape you want. | Cars, ships, and planes  |
| Ductile | Can be drawn into a long wire without snapping or breaking. | Wires |
| High melting and boiling point | Lots of energy is required to melt metals, leading to a high melting and boiling point. | Ovens  |
| High density | They are heavy for their size because there are a lot of atoms in a given space. | All uses |
| Some are magnetic | Not all metals are magnetic. ExamplesNickel and cobalt are magnetic. | Iron nails, fridge magnet  |
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Are all metals magnetic?
Not all metals are magnetic, but some metals are.
What does it mean by metals having high tensile strength?
When a metal is described as having high tensile strength it means metals can be pulled hard without stretching or breaking.
What does sonorous mean?
Sonorous is the 'dong' sound a metal makes when hit.