List out the Properties of Metals

PROPERTIES OF METALS

Physical properties

Physical state: All metals are solids at room temperature except mercury and gallium.
Lustre: Metals possess a high lustre (called metallic lustre).
Hardness: Most of the metals are hard and strong (exceptions: sodium and potassium can be cut with a knife)
Melting point and Boiling point: Usually, metals possess high melting and boiling points and vaporize only at high temperatures (exceptions: gallium, mercury, sodium and potassium).
Density: Metals have a high density (exceptions: sodium and potassium are less dense than water).
Ductility: Metals are usually ductile. In other words, they can be drawn into thin wires without breaking.
Malleability: Metals are usually malleable, Le, they can be beaten into thin sheets without cracking (except zinc and mercury).
Conduction of heat and electricity: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity; silver and copper excel in this property (exception: tungsten)
Solubility: Usually, metals do not dissolve in liquid solvents.

Chemical Properties

Valence electrons: Atoms of metals usually have 1,2 or 3 electrons in their outermost shell.
Formation of ions: Metals form Positive ions by the loss of electrons and hence they are electro-positive.
Discharge of ions: Metals are discharged at the cathode during the electrolysis of their compounds.
Atomicity: Molecules of metals in their vapour state are usually monoatomic.
Nature of oxides: Oxides of metals are usually basic.

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