Metals
In this section, we explore metals and their unique physical properties that categorize them distinctly from non-metals. Metals, such as iron, copper, aluminum, magnesium, and sodium, exhibit various properties, including a shiny appearance known as metallic lustre, hardness, malleability (the ability to be hammered into thin sheets), ductility (the ability to be drawn into wires), good thermal and electrical conductivity, and sonority (the ability to produce sound when struck).
Through a series of engaging activities, students are encouraged to observe these properties directly. For instance, students will rub metals to reveal their lustrous surfaces, test for hardness by cutting them, and explore malleability and ductility by shaping the metals. Additionally, students will experiment with the conductivity of metals by testing how well they conduct heat and electricity.
The exploration also includes practical applications, such as identifying metals used in cooking vessels and understanding why they were chosen based on their properties. The significance of these properties is discussed in relation to everyday uses and safety precautions in handling certain reactive metals, like sodium. The section emphasizes that while metals share many properties, there can be exceptions, necessitating a careful approach to categorization based on their reactivity and chemical behavior.