Properties of Metals Worksheet

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 Electrical wires

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 Saucepan

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 Chain

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 Magnet

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, which 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	Iron
Malleable	Copper
High electrical conductivity	Sodium
Soft	Aluminium
Magnetic	Mercury

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

mercury

copper

sodium

magnesium

Some modern car 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 manufacture 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	Gold
Low density	Iron
High thermal conductivity	Mercury
Low melting point	Copper
Low reactivity	Aluminium

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 magnet 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, which 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 car 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.