Properties of Metals (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Chemistry): Revision Note

Exam code: 5070

Alexandra Brennan

Last updated

Physical Properties of Metals & Non-Metals

Metals and non-metals

  • The Periodic Table contains over 100 different elements

  • They can be divided into two broad types: metals and non-metals

  • Most of the elements are metals and a small number of elements display properties of both types

    • These elements are called metalloids or semimetals 

Metals, non-metals & metalloids in Periodic Table, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

The metallic character diminishes moving left to right across the Periodic Table

Properties of metals

  • Conduct heat and electricity

  • Are malleable (can be hammered and made into different shapes) and ductile (can be drawn into wires)

  • Tend to be lustrous (shiny)

  • Have high density and usually have high melting points

  • Form positive ions through electron loss

  • Form basic oxides 

Properties of non-metal elements

  • Do not conduct heat and electricity

  • Are brittle when solid and easily break up

  • Tend to be dull and nonreflective

  • Have low density and low melting points (many are gases at room temperature)

  • Form negative ions through electron gain (except for hydrogen)

  • Form acidic oxides

Chemical Properties of Metals

General chemical properties of metals

  • The chemistry of metals is studied by analysing their reactions with water, dilute acid and oxygen

  • Based on these reactions, a reactivity series of metals can be produced

Reactivity with water

  • Some metals react with water, either warm or cold, or with steam

  • Metals that react with cold water form a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas

metal + water →  metal hydroxide + hydrogen

  •  For example calcium:

Ca (s) + 2H2O (l) → Ca(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)

  • Metals that react with steam form metal oxide and hydrogen gas, for example zinc:

Zn (s) + H2O (g)  →  ZnO (s) + H2 (g)

Reactivity with acids

  • Most metals react with dilute acids such as HCl

  • When acids and metals react, the hydrogen atom in the acid is replaced by the metal atom to produce a salt and hydrogen gas, for example iron:

metal + acid → salt + hydrogen

Fe (s) + 2HCl (aq) → FeCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Reactivity with oxygen

  • Unreactive metals such as gold and platinum do not react with oxygen

  • Some reactive metals such as the alkali metals react easily with oxygen

  • Copper and iron can also react with oxygen although much more slowly

  • When metals react with oxygen a metal oxide is formed, for example copper:

metal + oxygen → metal oxide 

2Cu (s) + O2 (g) → 2CuO (s)

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Alexandra Brennan

Author: Alexandra Brennan

Expertise: Chemistry Content Creator

Alex studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before embarking upon a career in teaching. With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, Alex has had several roles including Chemistry/Science Teacher, Head of Science and Examiner for AQA and Edexcel. Alex’s passion for creating engaging content that enables students to succeed in exams drove her to pursue a career outside of the classroom at SME.

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