Metal definition

Word Origin Middle English: from Old French metal or Latin metallum, from Greek metallon ‘mine, quarry, or metal’. What is the definition of metal? But for chemists, a metal is a chemical element that loses electrons in a chemical reaction. A metal (from Greek μέταλλον métallon, mine, quarry, metal ) is a material that, when freshly prepare polishe or fracture shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well.

Metals are typically malleable (they can be hammered into thin sheets) or ductile (can be drawn into wires).

The definition of metal: A substance with high electrical conductivity, luster, and malleability, which readily loses electrons to form positive ions. Metals are otherwise defined according to their position on the Periodic Table. In chemistry, a metal is an element that readily forms positive ions (cations) and has metallic bonds. Metals are sometimes described as a lattice of positive ions surrounded by a cloud of delocalized electrons. Elements and their oxides that form bases rather than acids in water are metals.

A simple way to establish if an element is metallic is to consult the periodic table, where the metals are usually clearly identified by color coding. Not all metals are elements, however. Alloys such as steel and brass are also common metals.

Today, both words can mean vigor and strength of spirit or temperament, but only metal is used of metallic substances. Medical Definition of nonmetal. A ferrous metal is known for its hardness, durability and tensile strength. Ferrous metal is widely used in almost all industries such as the manufacture of shipping containers, industrial piping, automobiles, railroad tracks, and many commercial and domestic tools.

An example of metal is gold. With a large shield area and mountains strongly intruded by igneous rocks, the continent is well endowed with metals. There is more than one definition of a base metal : A base metal is any metal other than the noble metals or precious metals (gol silver, platinum, etc.). Base metals typically tarnish or corrode readily.

Such a metal will react with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas. The earliest known metals —common metals such as iron, copper, and tin, and precious metals such as silver, gol and platinum—are heavy metals. Corrosionpedia explains Ferrous Metal. The IUPAC definition defines a transition metal as an element whose atom has a partially filled d sub-shell, or which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d sub-shell.

The metals other than iron and alloys that do not contain an appreciable amount of ferrous (iron) are known as non-ferrous metals. A distinguishing feature of non-ferrous metals is that they are highly malleable (i.e., they can be pressed or hammered into thin sheets without breaking). Generally more costly than ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are used because of desirable properties such as low weight (e.g. aluminium ), higher conductivity (e.g. copper ), non-magnetic property or resistance to corrosion (e.g. zinc ). Metal is rock music that has evolved.

Some non-ferrous materials are also used in the iron and steel industries. With descriptions, videos, and tips on recycling your scrap metals.