Physical Properties of Metals

​Chapter 14: Metals

14.1 Properties of Metals

​Physical Properties of Metals & Alloys (pg 3 of note)

Recall…

In Chapter 4 – Elements, Compounds and Mixtures, we learnt that metals are elements and alloys are mixtures of metals and one or a few other elements which are not chemically combined. We compared the properties of elements to mixtures and learnt that mixtures do not have its own unique properties. The properties of a mixture are the same as those of its elements.

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​​Physical Properties of Metals & Alloys (pg 3 of note)

Recall…

In Chapter 7 – Metallic Bonding, we learnt that a metal has a giant metallic lattice structure which is made up of metal ions (cations) which surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons. We also learnt that metallic bonding is the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positively charged metal ions and the sea of delocalised negatively charged electrons. In this chapter, we also learnt to use the structure and bonding of metals to explain their characteristic physical properties such as good conductors of electricity in any physical state and generally high melting and boiling point.

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​​Structure and Bonding of Metals (pg 3 of note)

(refer to Chap 7 – Metallic Bonding Notes)

​Type of matter (substance)	​metals
​Type of Structure	​giant metallic lattice structure
​Type of particles in the structure	​positively charged metal ions & negatively charged sea of delocalized electrons
​Type of forces of attraction between the particles in the structure	​Strong metallic bonds / metallic bonding which is the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between positively charged ions & negatively charged sea of delocalized valence electrons

​​Using Structure and Bonding to explain physical properties of Metals (pg 4 of note)

(refer to Chap 7 – Metallic Bonding Notes)

​Physical property	​Explanation in terms of their structure and bonding
​	​ ​Giant metallic lattice structure A lot of heat energy is required to overcome the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive nuclei of the metal atoms and the delocalized electrons (strong metallic bonds) to melt and boil metals.
​ * exception – Group I metals (Chap 16)	​ ​Giant metallic lattice structure Close packing of their atoms in a regular arrangement due to strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive nuclei of the metal atoms and the delocalised electrons (strong metallic bonds).