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Metals Facts & Worksheets

Metals are a group of substances distinguished by strong electrical and thermal conductivity.

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Metals are naturally occurring compounds under the Earth‘s surface. Most metals are lustrous or glossy. Metal is any of a group of substances distinguished by strong electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as malleability, ductility, and high light reflectance.

See the fact file below for more information on Metals, or you can download our 33-page Metals worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

The Discovery of Metals 

  • People discovered multiple metals after the bronze period, which spanned around 3300 BCE to 1200 BCE, and used them for a variety of purposes. Later times saw the development of these many sorts of metals used for additional purposes.
  • Modern scientists have further improved these metals and found new elements. Based on market demand, large corporations are currently employing these metals in hundreds of applications.
  • The most frequently identified elements in the Earth’s crust are aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
  • Although the great majority of metals are found in ores (mineral-bearing substances), a few, such as copper, gold, platinum, and silver, are usually discovered in their free state because they do not readily react with other elements.
  • Metals and nonmetals are two categories of substances characterized both by physical and chemical properties.
  • Metals are elements that are often hard due to a strong metallic bond between atoms. Nonmetals, on the other hand, are typically frail components.
  • Elements containing one, two, or three electrons in the valence shell are known as metals. 
  • Elements containing four, five, six, or seven electrons in their outermost shell are classified as nonmetals.

Metals in the Periodic Table

  • Metals make up the vast bulk of elements on the periodic table. This periodic chart categorizes elements as metal, non-metal, and metalloid. 
  • The metals are all grouped together on the periodic table’s left side. In the upper left corner, notice how hydrogen, is grouped with the metals.
  • Despite being called as a metal, hydrogen is classified a nonmetal. Some scientists believe that metallic hydrogen may exist in the planet Jupiter‘s core.

General Properties of Metal

  • Hardness: The capacity of a metal to withstand abrasion, penetration, cutting, or long-term deformation is referred to as hardness. Strength and hardness are two characteristics shared by all metals.
  • Brittleness: The ability of a metal to bend or deform just slightly before breaking is known as brittleness. A fragile metal is likely to shatter or crack without changing form. Brittle metals are steel with a high carbon content.
  • Malleability: Metal is malleable if it can be hammered, rolled, or pressed into different shapes without breaking, shattering, or having any other negative effects.
  • Ductility: A metal’s ductility is its ability to be permanently drawn, bent, or twisted into different forms without cracking. Metals used to create wire and tubing need to have this characteristic.
  • Elasticity: When the force causing the change in shape is removed, a metal’s ability to regain its previous shape is known as elasticity. Each metal has an elastic limit beyond which it cannot be loaded without permanently damaging the material.
  • Toughness: A substance with toughness may be stretched or otherwise bent without breaking, and it can survive tearing or shearing.
  • Density: This is the weight of a substance per unit volume.
  • Fusibility: The capacity of a metal to turn into a liquid when heated is known as its fusibility.
  • Conductivity: A metal’s conductivity is what allows it to transport heat or electricity. 

Categories of Metals

  • Metals are classified by their hardness, superior heat and thermal conductivity, luster, ability to resonate sound, density, and melting point.
  • As previously stated, metals may be classed based on certain qualities. The following are the metal classifications:

Metal Types Based on Atomic Structure

  • Metals are categorized into five classes based on their atomic structure and the periodic table:
  • Alkali metals: Alkali metals are extremely reactive soft metals found in the first column of the periodic table on the left side. Sodium, lithium, potassium, rubidium, francium, and cesium are the six alkali metals. Their outermost subshell contains one electron.
  • Alkaline earth metals: These are harder and denser than alkali metals because they have two electrons in their outermost subshell. They produce a particular tint in their flames while burning. Six alkaline earth metals exist: beryllium, calcium, barium, magnesium, strontium, and radium. They are listed in column 2 on the periodic table’s left side.
  • Transition metals: Transition metals are popular as heavy metals due to their higher density compared to alkali or alkaline earth metals. They are located in the middle of the main body of the periodic table. Transition metals include gold, copper, iron, silver, tungsten, zinc, titanium, platinum, cobalt, and others. There are 38 transition metals in the periodic table.
  • Rare earth elements: Rare earth metals, often known as technology metals, are widely utilized in today’s high-tech environment. Lanthanides and actinides are the two categories of rare-earth metals. There are 15 lanthanides and 15 actinides in the periodic table. Lanthanide metals include cerium, gadolinium, promethium, dysprosium, and others. Actinide metals include thorium, uranium, californium, plutonium, and others.
  • Post-transition metals: Metals in the post-transition state are often softer and have lower melting points. Tin and aluminum post-transition metals include lead, bismuth, and others.

Metal Type Based on Composition

  • Metals are classified into two categories based on the presence of other elements: pure metal and alloy. 
  • Pure metal is made up of only one element: the pure element. The metal kinds listed in the previous category are all pure metals based on the periodic table. 
  • In contrast, an alloy is made up of more than one metal element. Alloying elements (metals or nonmetals) are purposely added to achieve specified qualities. 
  • Alloy metals include steel, cast iron, brass, and others.

Metal Type Based on Iron Content

  • Metals are frequently classified based on the presence of iron. 
  • A ferrous metal is a metal that contains iron.
  • Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain iron. 
  • Ferrous metals include carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and others. Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, titanium, copper, brass, zinc, bronze, magnesium, and others.

Metal Types Based on Magnetism

  • Metals are also divided into two classes based on their magnetic characteristics.
  • Magnetic metals are metals that either attract or resist magnetic forces. 
  • Magnetic metals are classified into three types: ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, and diamagnetic. Magnetic materials include iron, nickel, steel, cobalt, and others.
  • Non-magnetic Metals: The application of magnetic force does not attract or repel non-magnetic metals. 
  • Non-magnetic metals include the most common metals such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, gold, silver, copper, and so on.

Metal Types Based on Mechanical Properties

  • Metals are categorized into two types based on their mechanical properties: ductile metals and brittle metals.
  • Most metals in nature, such as steel, aluminum, gold, silver, copper, and so on, are ductile at room temperature.
  • However, only a few metals are fragile. Brittle metals include beryllium, gallium, chromium, cast iron, manganese, bismuth, and others.

Metal Type Based on Chemical Reactivity

  • There are two sorts of metals based on their chemical reactivity with other elements. Base metals and noble metals are the two types.
  • Base metals are metals that are easily oxidized or corroded. Base metals include iron, zinc, lead, nickel, and others that oxidize relatively quickly. 
  • Noble metals are the polar opposite of base metals in that they are corrosion resistant. Noble metals include gold, platinum, rhodium, silver, and others.

Other Types of Metal Classification

  • Precious metals have economic importance because they are of  significant monetary worth. 
  • Precious metals are less reactive chemically, have excellent electrical conductivity, and have high brilliance. 
  • The most well-known and commonly used precious metals are gold and silver. 
  • Platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, and other valuable metals are examples of precious metals.
  • Refractory metals: A certain set of metals is known as refractory metals because of their ability to withstand extreme heat and wear. 
  • Tungsten, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, rhenium, and other metals with melting points exceeding 2 0000 degrees Celsius come into this group.
  • White metals: The term “white metals” refers to a collection of white-colored metals with low melting points.
  • Tin, lead, zinc, cadmium, bismuth, and other metals fall into this category.
  • Light metals: Usually light in weight, these metals have a comparatively low density in comparison to ordinary metals.
  • Aluminum, titanium, and magnesium are major light metals with great economic value.

Uses of Metals

  • Metals are often exceptionally durable, long-lasting, and resistant to regular wear and tear. As a result, they have been utilized for a variety of purposes in the past. Metals are crucial to the economy.
  • Metals are the most common component in the construction sector. Iron and steel are two of the most used metals in the construction of structures and even homes.
  • Electronics: Because metals are good conductors of electricity, they are used to produce cables and parts for electrically powered equipment and gadgets. 
  • Metal elements are needed for several tasks in medicine, such as nerve impulse transmission, oxygen flow, enzyme reaction, and so on.
  • Several medications are mixed with metal compounds to address certain deficiencies or disorders. 
  • Antacids contain elements that are often used in medicine, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, titanium, and aluminum.
  • The most utilized metals in the household sector are iron, aluminum, and steel. 
  • The bulk of kitchen utensils is made of metals including steel, aluminum, and copper. Metals are selected because of their high-temperature resistance.
  • Automobiles and Machinery: Metals are extensively used in the manufacturing of industrial, agricultural, and farming machinery, as well as automobiles such as road vehicles, railroads, airplanes, and rockets. 
  • Other applications: The majority of modern furniture is made of metal. Metals are also employed in the military to manufacture weapons and ammunition.
  • Galvanizing prevents corrosion of metals by utilizing certain metals.

Metals Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Metals across 33 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Metals, a group of substances distinguished by strong electrical and thermal conductivity.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Metal Facts
  2. Metals or Not
  3. Fill In The Table
  4. Among Us
  5. What Am I?
  6. Metals On The Table 
  7. Made of Metal
  8. Give Me
  9. My Application
  10. Letter Mining 
  11. Investigate 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is metal so important?

Different factories and industries use metals for different reasons. Metals are important because they can conduct electricity and provide other services. Every year, more than 3 gigatonnes of metal are used in this way around the world.

What is the most used metal?

Steel is the most commonly used metal in the world today. This metal is alloyed with other elements to give it high tensile strength and low cost. Steel is perfect for use in construction because of these benefits.

Are metals natural?

Yes, silver, copper, and platinum are some of the more common metals that can be found in nature. Over time, these metals can be affected by weathering processes like oxidation. Metals that are less reactive, like gold and platinum, are typically found in their purest form.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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