New
New
Year 8

Metallic elements

I can describe the properties of metal elements and compare them to non-metal elements.

New
New
Year 8

Metallic elements

I can describe the properties of metal elements and compare them to non-metal elements.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Metals are good thermal and electrical conductors, they are strong, shiny, malleable and ductile.
  2. Non-metals are normally poor thermal and electrical conductors, they are not strong, and are dull and brittle.
  3. Graphite is a non-metal that is a good electrical and thermal conductor.
  4. Metals are found on the left side and in the middle of the periodic table, non-metals on the right side.

Keywords

  • Thermal conductor - A thermal conductor is a substance that transfers heat from one place to another place.

  • Electrical conductor - An electrical conductor is a substance that allows a flow of charge (electrical current).

  • Malleable - A malleable substance has the ability to be formed into a shape.

  • Brittle - A brittle substance has the ability to break up easily.

  • Ductile - A ductile substance has the ability to be pulled into a wire.

Common misconception

There are exceptions for both metals and non-metals, which have different properties.

Use examples such as mercury and graphite in your teaching.

Use graphite to demonstrate electrical conductivity.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
An element is a pure substance made from only one of atom.
Correct Answer: type
Q2.
Which of the following are physical properties of substances?
Correct answer: melting and boiling points
making new substances when added to water
Correct answer: conducting electricity
reacting with oxygen
Correct answer: being shiny
Q3.
Match the physical property with its description.
Correct Answer:Brittle,breaks up easily

breaks up easily

Correct Answer:Thermal conductor,able to transfer heat from one place to another

able to transfer heat from one place to another

Correct Answer:Electrical conductor,allows a flow of charge

allows a flow of charge

Correct Answer:Shiny,able to reflect light

able to reflect light

Correct Answer:Dull,unable to reflect light

unable to reflect light

Correct Answer:Density,measurement mass per unit volume

measurement mass per unit volume

Q4.
Which of the following is a pure substance?
Fresh orange juice
orange squash
Correct answer: distilled water
Q5.
When sodium metal is added to chlorine gas a yellow-orange flame and white solid form. Select what had happened and why.
A physical change
Correct answer: A chemical change
Correct answer: A new substance has formed
The same substances are present
Correct answer: Sodium and chlorine have reacted
Q6.
Use the periodic table provided to match the names of the elements with their symbols.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:Titanium,Ti

Ti

Correct Answer:Strontium,Sr

Sr

Correct Answer:Argon,Ar

Ar

Correct Answer:Tin,Sn

Sn

Correct Answer:Silver,Ag

Ag

Correct Answer:Scandium,Sc

Sc

Q6 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following properties are most likely associated with metals?
Correct answer: Being a good thermal conductor
Being brittle
Being a poor electrical conductor
Correct answer: Being malleable
Q2.
Graphite is a non-metal. Why is it unique?
Correct answer: It is a good thermal and electrical conductor.
It is sonorous.
It is found on the left side of the periodic table.
It is shiny and ductile.
Q3.
What does 'malleable' mean?
Correct answer: It can be easily shaped or bent.
It breaks easily.
It can conduct electricity.
It can be pulled into a wire.
Q4.
Look at the table below and select which element is most likely to be a metal.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Element A
Element B
Element C
Q5.
True or false? The elements highlighted in green in this image are all metals.
An image in a quiz
True
Correct answer: False
hydrogen is a non-metal
Correct answer: they are all non-metals
Q6.
Match the properties to their meanings.
Correct Answer:ductile,can be pulled into a wire

can be pulled into a wire

Correct Answer:brittle,will break up easily

will break up easily

Correct Answer:malleable,can be formed into a shape

can be formed into a shape

Correct Answer:conductor (electrical),allows a flow of charge (electrical current)

allows a flow of charge (electrical current)

Correct Answer:conductor (thermal),transfers heat from one place to another place

transfers heat from one place to another place

Correct Answer:sonorous,rings like a bell when struck

rings like a bell when struck

Q5 UYSEG