What are metal?

Elements that easily lose electrons that are shiny (reflective), malleable (can be molded into other shapes), and are considered good conductors of heat and electricity are called metals. They are critical to our way of life, as they are not only part of structures and technologies, but are also essential for the production of almost all items. There is metal even in the human body.

See also - table of density.

Looking at the label of a multivitamin formula, you will see dozens of listed compounds. You may not have known that elements such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and zinc are essential for life, and if they are missing from our bodies, our health could be in serious danger. For example, calcium is essential for healthy bones, and magnesium for metabolism. Zinc enhances the function of the immune system, and iron helps blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. However, the metals in our bodies differ from the metal in a spoon or steel bridge in that they have lost electrons. They are called cations.

Metals also have antibiotic properties, which is why railings and handles in public places are often made from these elements. Many tools are known to be made of silver to prevent bacteria from growing. Artificial joints are made from titanium alloys, which simultaneously prevent infection and make the recipients stronger.

All elements in the periodic table of Dmitry Mendeleev are divided into two large groups: metals and non-metals. The first is the most numerous. Most of the elements are metals (blue). Non-metals in the table are shown against a yellow background. There is also a group of elements that are classified as metalloids (red). All metals are grouped on the left side of the table. Note that hydrogen is grouped with metals in the upper left corner. Despite this, it is considered non-metallic.

Many of the wonderful and beneficial qualities of an element have to do with how its atoms connect to one another. In this case, certain connections arise. The metallic interaction of atoms leads to the creation of metallic structures.

Any sample of this element in everyday life, from a car to coins in your pocket, includes a metal compound. During this process, the metal atoms share their outer electrons evenly with each other. Electrons flowing between positively charged ions transfer heat and electricity easily, making these elements such good conductors of heat and electricity. Copper wires are used for power supply.

Reactivity refers to the tendency of an element to react with chemicals in its environment. It can be different. Some metals, such as potassium and sodium (in columns 1 and 2 in the periodic table), react easily with many different chemicals and are rarely found in their pure, elemental form. Both usually exist only in compounds (associated with one or more other elements) or as ions (a charged version of their elemental form).