21315_METALS

METALS AND THEIR COMPOUNDS
Most elements are classified as metals or non-metals. Metals are elements whose atoms ionize by electro
loss while non – metals ionize by gaining electrons. Metal shows certain characteristics which distinguish
them from non-metals. More than three quarter of all known elements are metals.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS
Physical properties of elements are dependent on:
• The arrangement of their atoms or molecules in crystal lattices when in the solid state; and
• The bond that bind the atoms or molecules in the solid, liquid and gaseous state.
Most metals are solid at room temperature and exists in crystal lattices in which their atoms are
held together by strong metallic bonds. Thus, the metals have following physical properties.
1. High melting and boiling points.
2. Characteristic lustre.
3. Malleable i.e. can be hammered into sheets.
4. Ductile i.e. can be drawn into wire.
5. Sonorous, i.e. give off a note when hit.
6. Hard but not brittle, with great tensile strength.
7. Good conductors of heat and electricity.
8. Relatively high densities.
Some metals do not exhibit all these properties.
• Mercury is liquid at room temperature with melting point of -39oc.
• Sodium and potassium are light, soft metals with low melting points of 97oc and 63oc respectively.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS

Chemical properties of elements are dependent on the number of valence electrons present in
their atomic structure. An important property that is determined by valence electrons is the
tendency of the atom of an element to ionize. Some characteristic chemical properties of metals
are as follows:
1. Ionization behaviours: metallic atoms have great tendency to ionize and form positive ions
by losing electron because they have few valence electrons. Thus, they are electropositive
e.g.
Na(S) Na+ + e-
Ca Ca2+ + 2e-
Al Al3+ + 3e-
2. Reducing agents: metals are reducing agents because they donate electrons readily during
chemical reactions e.g.
4Na(s)+ O2(g) 2 Na2O(s)
3. Reaction with acids: some metals reacts with acids to form salt by replacing the hydrogen ion
(H+) from an acid.
Zn(S) + 2HCl ZnCl2(aq) +H2(g)
4. Nature of oxides: most metals reacts with oxygen to form basic oxide which dissolve in water
to form alkalis e.g.
Ca(s) + O2(g) CaO(s)
CaO(s) + H2O Ca(OH)2
5. Few metals form compounds with hydrogen: Hydrogen form compound by covalency, and
in acids by loss of electron to form hydrogen ion. but few very reactive metals force hydrogen
to accept electron to form hydride, which are salt like solids.
2Na(s) + H2(g) 2NaH(S).
The hydride reacts with cold water to liberate hydrogen.
NaH + H2O NaOH + H2(g)
Principle of extraction of metals
Extraction of metals is the process by which metals are isolated from their ore. The extraction of metal is
basically a reduction process during which the metallic ions are reduced to their corresponding metal
atoms.
Extraction of metal is preceded by the concentration of metal ore to remove impurities through oil
floatation, magnetic separation hydraulic washing.
The method chosen for extraction of a particular metal depends on stability of the ore which in turn
depends on the position of the metal in the reactivity series. The extraction of metals is reduction process
carried out through one of the following processes:
1. Electrolytic process: This process is used for the extraction of the very reactive metals
(potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and aluminum) which are very stable chlorides
and trioxocarbonates. During electrolysis, cathode acts as a reducing agent by supplying
electrons to the metallic ions in the electrolyte, resulting in the deposition of the free
metal. Electrolytic process is very expensive to install and maintain. It is used only when
chemical or thermal reduction of the ore is not possible.
2. Chemical reduction: This is used to obtain the moderately reactive, less electropositive
metals (Zn, Fe, Sn, and Pb) from their ores by reducing the oxides. The first method
involves, reducing the oxides of metals with coke or carbon (II) oxide.
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
The second method involves oxidation of sulphides to oxides followed by reduction of
oxides.
2PbS(s) + 3O2 2PbO(s) + 2SO2(g)
2PbO(s) + C 2Pb(s) + SO2(g)
3. Thermal reduction: In this process, metals are obtained from their ores by heating e.g.
HgS(s) + O2 Hg(s) + SO2(g)
Elements at the bottom of reactivity series like copper, mercury, silver and gold are free
metals.
Activity series of metals and the methods of extraction.
Metal Reactivity Most common ores Method of
extraction
Potassium, K Chlorides Electrolysis of fused
Sodium, Na Very reactive Chlorides and hydroxides and
trioxocarbonates chloride
Calcium, Ca oxides Electrolysis of fused
chlorides
Magnesium, Mg Moderately Electrolysis of
Aluminium, Al reactive oxides, roasting of
Zinc, Zn; Iron, Fe: Oxides, trioxocarbonate (IV)
tin, Sn: Lead, Pb trioxocarbonates and sulphides to
(IV) and sulphides form oxides,
reduction of oxides
by coke or carbon
(II) oxide.
Copper; Cu, Least reactive Sulphides Heating in air
mercury; Hg, Mined as free
silver, Ag Gold Au. free element elements.

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METALS AND THEIR COMPOUNDS

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS

Physical properties of elements are dependent on:

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS

NaH + H2O NaOH + H2(g)

Principle of extraction of metals

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