At present, science knows a hundred and five chemical elements, systematized in the form of the periodic table.The vast majority of them are ranked among the metals, which implies the presence of these elements are special qualities.This so-called metallic properties.Such characteristics, primarily related ductility, high heat and electrical conductivity, ability to form alloys, a low ionization potential.
metal properties of an element due to the ability of its atoms in case of interaction with other elements of atomic structures to shift in their direction the electron clouds or "give" them of their free electrons.The most active metals are those that have a low ionization energy and electronegativity.Also pronounced metallic properties are characteristic of the elements having the largest possible radius of the atom and the extremely small number of outer (valence) electrons.
As the filling of the valence electrons in orbit number of the atomic structure of the outer layer increases, and the radius decreases accordingly.In this regard, the atoms begin to seek connection of the free electrons, rather than to their return.Metal properties such elements acquire a tendency to decrease, and their metallic properties - to increase.Conversely, with increasing atomic radius marked increase in metallic properties.Therefore, a characteristic common feature of all the metals are the so-called restoration of quality - the very ability of an atom to give the free electrons.
most vivid metallic properties of elements are manifested in substance the first, second main sub-groups of the periodic table, as well as from the alkali and alkaline earth metals.But the most powerful restorative qualities observed in France and in the aquatic environment - from lithium due to a high rate of hydration energy.
number of elements with metallic properties manifest within a period increases with the number of the period.In the periodic table of metals from non-metals are separated by a diagonal line that extends from boron to astatine.That dividing line positioned elements that are equally manifest those and other qualities.Such materials include silicon, arsenic, boron, germanium, astatine, antimony and tellurium.This group of elements called metalloids.
Each period is characterized by a kind of "border zone" in which the elements are arranged dual qualities.Therefore, the transition from a pronounced metal to a typical nonmetal implemented gradually, which is reflected in the periodic table.
General properties of metallic elements (high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, malleability, distinctive luster, ductility, and others.) Due to the similarity of their internal structure, to be exact - the presence of the crystal lattice.However, there are a lot of properties (density, hardness, melting temperature), which confer all the metals are highly individual physico-chemical properties.These characteristics depend on the crystal lattice structure of each individual element.
