A metal is an element or compound with high electrical conductivity. It usually has a shiny luster, and it can be melted, hammered into sheets, or drawn into wires. In a metal, atoms lose electrons easily and form positive ions or cations. Those ions are surrounded by electrons, which "roam" the metal structure. The "roaming" electrons are called delocalized electrons.
Metals occupy the majority of the periodic table.
The image below shows various elemental metals. Click on the image below to go to the Photographic Periodic Table. Then click on the different metal elements to see photos and details about each metal.
The properties of metal are explained through metallic bonding. Let’s first sort the following properties between metals and nonmetals.
Directions: Read each statement below and decide if the statement is describing a metal or a nonmetal.