METAL BASICS

Here’s a basic article specially created for kids bringing a huge overview on metals and some topics related to it. Most of the chemical elements in a periodic table are composed of or classified as metals. Most of these elements have shiny surfaces like silver (Ag), gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) and are basically clear and more detailed when looked under the metallurgical microscope. Other elements that are not commonly recognized as metals are potassium (K) and iridium (Ir). Metals are too many that memorizing it all may somehow be difficult for some kids according to this article. Thus, it has been suggested that the technique in familiarizing metals is to know first the ones needed in class. In that way, students will be knowledgeable with the different kinds of metals one by one rather than knowing all its names without any details on its characteristics. In the periodic table of elements, each group is organized in a certain area. Having a copy of it every time chemistry is discussed is an advantage.

A short and basic list found in a specific group area is given in this topic such as Rare-Earth Metals, Actinide Metals, Alkali Metals, Transition Metals, Alkaline-Earth Metals, Rare Metals, Lanthanide Metals and Noble Metals.

Identifying a metal is easy when appropriate tool is used, especially the metallurgical microscope, in which it is commonly used by experts who study metals, or the metallurgists. But metals, without viewing them by the said equipment can also be identified through its four traits as mentioned from this article. One of these four traits is the Conduction, or the ones often used in electronics like the Silver (Ag) and copper (Cu). The next characteristic to identify metals is called Reactivity. Because metals are also characterized as a very reactive element, it is always expected for any metal to be reactive, especially when solution is mixed in it to form compounds with other elements. Some of the most reactive metals sited by this article are the Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K). Another trait of to identify metals is through its chemical content.

When compounds are dissolved in a solution, metals usually react to create positive ions, including the making up of the hydroxides (bases) (OH-) and definitely not acids when it is in solution- by their metallic oxides. Another example sited by this article on the chemical reaction in metals is when Sodium chloride (NaCl) turns into sodium (Na+) and chlorine as well (Cl-) when it is dissolved in liquid. Sodium is the positive ion, as explained, so therefore it is the metal. It also works the same way for other metals, as well as Potassium chlorine (KCl). Alloys, on the other hand is the last one discussed to characterize metals. To identify the details in the combination of two or more metals is suggested to be viewed through the metallurgical microscope. Through alloys, metals are not difficult to mix or combine with. Literally alloy is described in this article as a mixture or combination of two or more metals or elements, such as the alloys of steel and bronze. Historically, bronze is mentioned here to be the very first alloys that human had created a long time ago. Read more on this subject