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  1. Science
  2. Year 9
  3. Metals
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Properties of Metals

Look at the world around you and you will see many objects made from metals or that contain metals, including the computer you are using right now, but what makes metals so useful? Students will explore this and more in this worksheet.

'Properties of Metals' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Curriculum topic:  Chemistry: The Periodic Table

Curriculum subtopic:  Properties of Metals

Difficulty level:  

down

Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

Metals have special properties that make them very useful, such as electrical conductivity; however, not all metals have the same properties.

The properties of metals are a result of how their atoms are arranged.

The properties of metals vary depending on the metal. For example, all metals are solids at room temperature (except for mercury, which is a liquid). 

Listed below are some of the properties of metals.

 

Electrical Conductivity    

All metals conduct electricity, which makes them essential in the manufacture of all electrical equipment. Manganese has the lowest electrical conductivity, but all metals do conduct electricity. Copper is a good conductor and is used in most electrical wiring. 

 

Thermal Conductivity     

 

Thermal conductivity is the ability of a metal to allow heat to pass through it. All metals conduct heat but as with electrical conductivity some metals are better at it than others. Copper is also an excellent conductor of heat but bismuth has the lowest thermal conductivity of al the metals. 

 

High Melting Points     Mercury pouring from a pipette - stock photo

Most metals have high melting points and that is why they are found as solids at room temperature; however -  as always - there are some exceptions. Mercury is a metal with a low melting point, which means that it is a liquid at room temperature. This property makes mercury a great material to use in thermometers. 

 

Malleability     wave corrugated steel sheet - stock photo

Malleability is the ability of a substance to be bent or rolled into sheets. Most metals are malleable which make them ideal to bend into all sorts of shapes from poles to sheets. Antimony is a brittle metal and will break if it is bent or rolled.
 
Strength    
Most metals are strong and this makes them an excellent building material for constructing bridges, buildings, cars etc., but - as always - there are some exceptions. The metal sodium is a soft metal that can be cut very easily. 
 
Magnetic        
Some metals, such as, iron, cobalt and nickel are magnetic which means they are attracted to magnets or can be turned into a magnet. Not all metals are magnetic.

Which of the following terms is used to describe a substance that can be bent or rolled into sheets?

 

thermal condictivity

malleability

magnetism

electrical conductivity

Which of the following metals are magnetic? Tick two boxes.

Iron

Sodium

Aluminium

Nickel

Household radiators are made from steel that is an alloy containing the metal iron. Which of the following properties of iron make it an ideal material to make radiators from?

 

thermal conductivity

electrical conductivity

magnetism

Match each of the metals on the right to the property that they are most associated with on the left. If you can't read the entire sentence in the box, hover your mouse over it.

Column A

Column B

Low melting point
Sodium
Malleable
Aluminium
High electrical conductivity
Iron
Soft
Mercury
Magnetic
Copper

Which of the following metals would be the best metal to use to make a saucepan?

mercury

copper

sodium

magnesium

Some modern cars bodies are made from the metal aluminium. Which of the properties below make alumimium a good metal for making car bodies? Tick two boxes.

 

malleable

low density

low strength

good electrical conductivity

Cast iron fireplaces can be used in homes to generate heat and light. Which of the properties below make iron an ideal material to manufature these fireplaces? Tick two boxes.

 

 

malleable

high density (heavy)

high melting point

good thermal conductivity

Match each of the metals on the right to the property that they are most closely associated with on the left. 

Column A

Column B

High melting point
Aluminium
Low density
Gold
High thermal conductivity
Mercury
Low melting point
Iron
Low reactivity
Copper
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 1

Which of the following terms is used to describe a substance that can be bent or rolled into sheets?

 

CORRECT ANSWER
malleability
EDDIE SAYS
Malleability is an important property that some metals possess. It allows them to be bent or rolled into all sorts of shapes without breaking or cracking. Aluminium is a very malleable metal.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 2

Which of the following metals are magnetic? Tick two boxes.

CORRECT ANSWER
Iron
Nickel
EDDIE SAYS
Not all metals are magnetic. To test if a drinks can is made from aluminium, touch a magnetic against it. If it sticks then it is not made from aluminium but steel, which contains iron.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 3

Household radiators are made from steel that is an alloy containing the metal iron. Which of the following properties of iron make it an ideal material to make radiators from?

 

CORRECT ANSWER
thermal conductivity
EDDIE SAYS
The radiator must allow the heat from the hot water to pass through it and into the room, so good thermal conductivity is essential.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 4

Match each of the metals on the right to the property that they are most associated with on the left. If you can't read the entire sentence in the box, hover your mouse over it.

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

Low melting point
Mercury
Malleable
Aluminium
High electrical conductivity
Copper
Soft
Sodium
Magnetic
Iron
EDDIE SAYS
All the metals in the Periodic Table have slightly different properties which gives them many different uses.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 5

Which of the following metals would be the best metal to use to make a saucepan?

CORRECT ANSWER
copper
EDDIE SAYS
Copper is an excellent metal for making saucepans but it is expensive. Apart from the obvious reason that a saucepan made of mercury would look like sauce before it can even be used, mercury is also very toxic. Using magnesium and sodium would also be very dangerous as they are both very flammable and reactive metals.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 6

Some modern cars bodies are made from the metal aluminium. Which of the properties below make alumimium a good metal for making car bodies? Tick two boxes.

 

CORRECT ANSWER
malleable
low density
EDDIE SAYS
Aluminium is more commonly used in cars because it is malleable and has a low density which keeps the cars light, but it is a weak metal. So car manufacturers have had to strengthen the car to ensure that it can withstand an impact safely.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 7

Cast iron fireplaces can be used in homes to generate heat and light. Which of the properties below make iron an ideal material to manufature these fireplaces? Tick two boxes.

 

 

CORRECT ANSWER
high melting point
good thermal conductivity
EDDIE SAYS
Iron has a very high melting point and high thermal conductivity.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 8

Match each of the metals on the right to the property that they are most closely associated with on the left. 

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

High melting point
Iron
Low density
Aluminium
High thermal conductivity
Copper
Low melting point
Mercury
Low reactivity
Gold
EDDIE SAYS
All the metals in the Periodic Table have slightly different properties which gives them many different uses.
---- OR ----

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