What is metal? Its Physical & Chemical properties and usefulness with FAQs

What is metal? - What elements have you seen in nature? Can you tell? The elements in nature are divided into metals, non-metals, and semi-metals. Metals occupy an important place in our daily lives. Metals are more useful for us. Do you know, what is the strongest metal?

What-is-metal
What is the heaviest metal?
People have been using metal for various purposes since time immemorial. Different metals are used for different purposes. Some metals are used to make utensils, aircraft parts, electrical wires, and coins. In this article, we will discuss some important metals and their properties and usefulness. Let us first discuss what is metal?

What is metal?

The hard, shiny, which can be beaten to make it long or thin, gave tingling sound when knocked and a good conductor of electricity and heat, is called metal.

The metal is derived from the Greek word "μέταλλον" metallon. Which means "mine, quarry, metal". Most metals are rigid, shiny, and conductive like iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, etc. Similarly, some metals are also soft, such as aluminum, silver, etc.

See Also: What is the most reactive nonmetal?

Physical properties of metal

It has a special type of luster, which is called metal luster. Due to this special luster, metals like gold, silver, etc. are used in making jewelry.

Metals are hard, but the hardness of different metals varies. Some metals are harder and some are less hard. Sodium is an exception in metals which is very soft; it can be easily cut with a knife. Due to its hardness, iron is used to make bridges, houses, railway lines, vehicles, etc.

Metals are malleable. Due to this property, it can be beaten to make it thinner or longer. For example, iron is used to make the body of cars and other vehicles. Thin metal sheets such as gold, silver, etc. are used to make jewelry. Gold and silver are the most malleable metals.

Metals are flexible. This property is called Ductility. Due to this property, it can be converted into thin wire. Due to its high ductility of aluminum, copper, etc., it is used to make electrical wires. Gold is the most Ductile metal.

Metals are conductors of electricity and heat. As aluminum and copper are good conductors, they are used to make electrical wires and cooking utensils. Tungsten and Bismuth are poor conductors of electricity

When it is tapped, it makes a special sound, which is like a bell. Due to this property, it’s used in making bells, musical strings, etc. This property is called the resonance of metals.

The metal is solid at normal temperatures. Mercury is the only metal that remains in a liquid state at normal temperatures.

The melting and boiling point of the metal is very high. But the melting point of Gallium and Cesium metal is very low; the melting point of Gallium and cesium is so low that when held in hand they melt by the temperature of the palm.

Chemical Properties of metals

Burning of the metal into the air creates the corresponding metal oxide.

Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide

Most metals exhibit this property, that when it is ignited in air, the metal reacts with oxygen and form the corresponding metal oxide.

Examples:

What happens when sodium is burnt in the air?

Ans: When sodium is heated in air, sodium immediately ignites with an orange flame and forms a mixture of sodium oxide and sodium peroxide.

2Na        +             O2          ®           Na2O2

Sodium                 Oxygen                Sodium peroxide

4Na        +             O2          ®           2Na2O2

Sodium                 Oxygen                Sodium peroxide

What happens when Lithium is lit in the air?

Ans: When lithium is heated or lit in air, lithium immediately ignites with a red-tinted flame and gives lithium oxide.

4Li                         +             O2           ®           2Li2O

Lithium                          Oxygen                      Lithium oxide

What happens when potassium is burnt in the air?

Ans: When potassium is burned in the air, it forms potassium peroxide and potassium superoxide.

2K           +             O2           ®           K2O2

Potassium           oxygen                 Potassium peroxide

K             +             O2           ®           KO2

Potassium           oxygen                 Potassium super oxide

What happens when magnesium is burnt in the air?

Ans: When magnesium metal is ignited in the air, it burns with dazzling light and forms magnesium oxide.

2Mg       +             O2           ®           2MgO

Magnesium         Oxygen                Magnesium oxide

What happens when aluminum is burnt in the air?

Ans: When aluminum is burned in the air, it forms aluminum oxide.

4Al         +             O2           ®           2Al2O2

Aluminum            Oxygen                Aluminum Oxide

What happens when zinc is burnt in the air?

Ans: When zinc is burned or heated in air, the zinc vapor begins to form which is zinc oxide, the layer of which is mounted on the zinc.

2Zn         +             O2           ®           2ZnO

Zinc                       Oxygen                Zinc Oxide

What happens when the lead is lit in the air?

Ans: When the lead is lit or heated in air, it forms a lead oxide, a thin layer of which rises above the lead.

2Pb        +             O2           ®           2PbO

Lead                     Oxygen                Lead Oxide

What happens when copper is burnt in the air?

Ans: When copper is burnt in the air, (copper (II) oxide) is formed, whose thin layer solidifies on the copper surface.

2Cu        +             O2           ®           2CuO

Copper                 Oxygen                Copper Oxide

What happens when a metal reacts with water?

The metal reacts with water to form the associated metal oxide and hydrogen gas.

Metal + Water®Metal Oxide + Hydrogen Gas

Water-soluble metal oxides dissolve in water to form the corresponding hydroxide and hydrogen gases.

Metal Oxide + Water ® Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen Gas

Examples:

The reaction of sodium with water:

Sodium reacts with water to make sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Sodium reacts very rapidly with water, this reaction is so fast and it emits so much heat that the hydrogen gas produced in it immediately catches fire.

2Na(s)                  +             2H2O (l)                ®           2NaOH (aq)         +            H2(g)

Sodium                                Water                                 Sodium hydroxide             Hydrogen Gas

The reaction of sodium with water is highly exothermic.

The reaction of potassium with water:

Potassium reacts with water to make potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

2K(s)                     +             2H2O (l)                ®           2KOH (aq)            +            H2(g)

Potassium                          Water                  Potassium hydroxide       Hydrogen Gas

Potassium also reacts very rapidly with water, just like sodium. In this reaction, the hydrogen gas released quickly catches fire. The reaction between Potassium and water is highly exothermic.

The reaction of Calcium with water:

Calcium metal reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

2Ca(s)                   +             2H2O(l) ®           2CaOH(aq)          +            H2(g)

Calcium                               Water                  Calcium hydroxide            Hydrogen Gas

The hydrogen gas formed in order of reaction between calcium and water sticks to the surface of calcium, causing calcium fragments to float on the surface of the water.

The reaction of calcium with water is highly exothermic, but no heat is released in this reaction, which can ignite the hydrogen gas released in this reaction.

The reaction of magnesium with water:

Magnesium does not react with cold water. But magnesium reacts with hot water and makes magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

2Mg(s)                  +             2H2O(l) ®           2MaOH(aq)         +            H2(g)

Magnesium                        Water                  Magnesium hydroxide     Hydrogen Gas

The hydrogen gas formed in order of reaction between the magnesium and hot water sticks to the surface of the magnesium, causing the magnesium to float on the surface of the water.

The reaction of aluminum with water:

Aluminum reacts with water vapor and forms aluminum oxide and hydrogen gas.

2Al(s)                    +             3H2O (g)               ®           2Al2O3(s)              +            3H2(g)

Aluminum                           Water                                 Aluminum oxide                Hydrogen Gas

Aluminum metal does not react with cold or hot water.

The reaction of zinc metal with water:

Zinc reacts with water vapor and forms zinc oxide and hydrogen gas.

2Zn(s)                   +             H2O (g)                 ®           ZnO(s)    +            H2 (g)

Zinc                                      Water                                 Zinc oxide            Hydrogen Gas

Zinc metal does not react with cold or hot water.

The reaction of iron metal with water:

Iron reacts with water vapor and produces iron oxide and hydrogen gas.

2Fe(s)                   +             4H2O (g)               ®           Fe3O4(s)               +             4H2 (g)

Iron                                      Water                                 Iron oxide                           Hydrogen Gas

The reaction of metals with acids

What happens when a metal reacts with an acid?

The metal reacts with the acid and forms the corresponding salts and hydrogen gases.

Metal + dilute acid → salts + hydrogen

But not all metals react in the same way with acids and they do not form salt and hydrogen gas. For example, copper does not react with dilute acid.

The reaction between sodium and dilute acid

The reaction between Sodium and dilute hydrochloric acid

Sodium metal reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and makes sodium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Na           +                          HCL          ®         NaCl                    +            H2

Sodium                 Hydrochloric acid             Sodium chloride            Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Sodium and Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Sodium reacts with dilute sulfuric acid and forms sodium sulfate and hydrogen gas.

Na            +           H2SO4                   ®           Na2SO4                +            H2

Sodium                 Sulfuric acid                       Sodium sulfate                  Hydrogen gas

The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and potassium

Potassium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and makes potassium chloride and hydrogen gas.

2K             +                          2HCL        ®         2KCl                     +            H2

Potassium           Hydrochloric acid             Potassium chloride           Hydrogen gas

The reaction between potassium and Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Potassium reacts with dilute sulfuric acid and forms potassium sulfate and hydrogen gas.

2K             +           H2SO4                   ®           K2SO4                   +            H2

Potassium           Sulfuric acid                       Potassium sulfate             Hydrogen gas

Sodium and potassium react very rapidly with dilute acids. These reactions are highly exothermic, so they are not performed in ordinary laboratories. There may be a chance of an accident in these reactions.

The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and magnesium

Magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and makes magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Mg           +                          2HCL        ®         MgCl2                  +            H2

Magnesium         Hydrochloric acid             Magnesium chloride        Hydrogen gas

The reaction between magnesium and Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Magnesium reacts with dilute sulfuric acid and forms magnesium sulfate and hydrogen gas.

Mg           +           H2SO4                   ®           Mg2SO4                              +            H2

Magnesium         Sulfuric acid                       Magnesium sulfate          Hydrogen gas

The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and Aluminum

Aluminum reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and makes Aluminum chloride and hydrogen gas.

2Al           +                          6HCL        ®         2 AlCl3                  +            3H2

Aluminum            Hydrochloric acid             Aluminum chloride           Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Aluminum and Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Aluminum reacts with dilute sulfuric acid and forms Aluminum sulfate and hydrogen gas.

2Al           +           3H2SO4                 ®           Al2(SO4)3                             +            3H2

Aluminum            Sulfuric acid                       Aluminum sulfate                            Hydrogen gas

The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and zinc

Zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and makes Zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.

Zn             +                          2HCL        ®         ZnCl2                    +            H2

Zinc                       Hydrochloric acid             Zinc chloride                      Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Zinc and Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Zinc reacts with dilute sulfuric acid and forms Zinc sulfate and hydrogen gas.

Zn             +           H2SO4                   ®           Zn2SO4                 +            H2

Zinc                       Sulfuric acid                       Zinc sulfate                        Hydrogen gas

The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and Iron

Iron reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and makes Iron (II) chloride and hydrogen gas.

Fe             +                          2HCL        ®         FeCl2                    +            H2

Iron                       Hydrochloric acid             Iron chloride       Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Iron and Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Iron reacts with dilute sulfuric acid and forms Iron sulfate and hydrogen gas.

Fe             +           H2SO4                   ®           Fe2SO4                 +            H2

Iron                       Sulfuric acid                       Iron sulfate                        Hydrogen gas

The reaction of Metals with Nitric Acid

Metals react differently with nitric acid. Nitric acid, which is a fast oxidizing agent, oxidizes the hydrogen in water that formed in order of reaction with the metal, and The nitric acid itself is reduced into [N2O (Nitrous oxide), NO (Nitric oxide) or NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide)] an oxide of nitrogen.

But magnesium and manganese react with nitric acid and form the respective salts and hydrogen gases.

The reaction between Magnesium and dilute nitric acid

Magnesium reacts with dilute nitric acid and forms magnesium nitrate and hydrogen gas.

Mg           +           2HNO3                  ®           Mg (NO3)2                          +            H2

Magnesium         Nitric acid                           Magnesium nitrate                          Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Manganese and dilute nitric acid

Manganese reacts with dilute nitric acid and forms manganese nitrate and hydrogen gas.

Mn           +           2HNO3                  ®           Mn (NO3)2                          +            H2

Manganese         Nitric acid                           Manganese nitrate                          Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Zinc and dilute nitric acid

Zinc reacts with dilute nitric acid and forms Zinc nitrate and hydrogen gas.

Zn             +           2HNO3                  ®           Zn (NO3)2                           +            H2

Zinc                       Nitric acid                           Zinc nitrate                                        Hydrogen gas

The reaction between Copper and Concentrated Nitric Acid

Copper reacts with Concentrated Nitric Acid and forms copper nitrate, water and nitrogen dioxide gas.

Cu            +           4HNO3                  ®           Cu (NO3)2            +             2H2O     +            2NO2

Copper                 Nitric acid                           Copper nitrate                   Water                   Nitrogen gas

Zinc and aluminum do not react with the Concentrated Nitric Acid. Because as soon as the reaction begins, a thick layer of oxide of zinc and aluminum is added to its upper surface, which immediately stops the further reaction.

How does one metal react with the salts of other metals?

When a more reactive metal reacts with a salt solution of less reactive metal, the more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its salt.  For example,

Fe(s)         +           CuSO (aq)                          ®           Fe2SO4  (aq)        +            Cu(s)

Iron                       Copper sulfate                  Ferrous sulfate                                 Cooper

Zn(s)         +           CuSO (aq)                          ®           ZnSO4   (aq)        +            Cu(s)

Zinc                       Copper sulfate                                 Zinc sulfate                        Cooper

How does one metal react with other non-metals?

One metal reacts with another nonmetal to form the corresponding material. An atom reacts with another atom due to the current valence electrons in it.

What do you mean by rusting of iron?

Iron reacts very slowly with the moisture present in the cold water or air and forms iron oxide, the layer of which solidifies above the surface of the iron and slowly converts the whole of the iron into iron oxide. The process of coating iron oxide on the surface of iron or its alloys is called rusting or corrosion.

What is the formula of iron rust?

Iron rust is clearly a hydrated form of iron (III) oxide. Its formula is approximate Fe2O3 • 32H2O, here almost means the amount of water in it is variable.

How can you prevent rusting?

Anti-corrosion metal coating is applied to prevent rusting. This process is called Galvanization. Steel is a form of iron, it does not rust. Iron can also be protected from corrosion by applying steel coating.

What is the heaviest metal?

Osmium is considered the heaviest metal in the world. It is the highest density metal found in raw platinum. Its symbol is ‘Os’ and atomic number 76. It is a hard, brittle, blue-white transition metal in the platinum group found as a trace element in alloys. Being poisonous, it is used only after mixing other metals.

In the last

In this post, we have answered various questions about metals, such as "What is metal?", "What is the heaviest metal?" Also, information is given about the physical and chemical properties of the metal and various chemical equations, etc. How did you like this post? Please let us know by commenting on this post. Thank you!

Post a Comment

0 Comments