What is a metal? Nearly 75% of all elements are metals. Common characteristics of metals: Conduction – of heat and electricity Malleable – can be bent into different shapes Ductile – can be pulled into a wire Often shiny
Alloys Homogeneous mixture of 2 or more metals (solid solution). Usually developed because they have more desirable properties than the element itself.
Examples of Alloys: Examples: Bronze: made of copper and tin Brass: made of copper and zinc Steel: made of iron and carbon Stainless steel: made of iron, chromium and carbon http://numbera.com/musictheory/mechanics/images/brass3.png http://www.findadig.com/files/images/Image/Timeline/Bronze_Age.jpg
Pennies: What are they made of? Copper is increasingly expensive. Until 1983, pure copper Copper is increasingly expensive. Since then … zinc with a THIN coat of copper http://www.ironpoet.org/imagesPoet/ip.penny.jpg
“Gold” Penny Lab: What are the “silver” pennies? Regular penny with a thin coat of zinc on top. How will you make “gold” pennies? Zinc-coated penny is BRIEFLY heated in the Bunsen burner. Heat melts the zinc coating and the surface of the copper coating. These metals mix to form brass. Warning: Hot metal looks like cold metal