Metals
Definition of Metals
Metals are substances that are usually hard, shiny, strong, and good conductors of heat and electricity.
Main Details
Metals are found in the Earth’s crust.
They are mostly solid at room temperature (except mercury).
They can be:
Malleable (can be hammered into sheets)
Ductile (can be drawn into wires)
Metals conduct heat and electricity very well.
They have a shiny surface called lustre.
Examples of common metals: iron, copper, gold, aluminium.
Examples
Iron – used to make buildings and tools
Copper – used in electrical wires
Gold – used in jewellery
Aluminium – used in cans and airplanes
Interesting Points
Metals make a ringing sound when hit (this is called sonorous).
Some metals can react with water or air and change over time (like rusting).
Metals can be mixed to form alloys (like steel).
Fun Fact
Gold is so soft that it can be stretched into very thin sheets—you could make a sheet so thin that light can pass through it.