What are 4 physical properties that distinguish metals from nonmetals of the Periodic Table?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 18, 2018

#"Malleability"#...the ability to be hammered into a sheet....

Explanation:

#"Ductility"#...the ability to be drawn out into a wire....

#"Conductivity"# with respect to heat...

#"Conductivity"# with respect to an electrical current...

All of these properties are conceived to arise from our view of the electronic structure of bulk metals....

#"positive ions in a sea of electrons"#

Each metal atom contributes one or two or more valence electrons to the extended metallic lattice. The electrons are delocalized and are conceived to be free to move over the entire lattice, and thus conduct both heat and (most of the time) electricity. The lustre and reactivity of many metals can also be attributed to electronic structure. Because there is a surfeit of valence electrons, metals tend to be good reducing agents....

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