Important Facts of Metals

Important Facts of Metals

Important Facts About Some Metals

Zinc and Copper

• Zinc phosphide is used for killing rats.

• Wooden furniture is coated with zinc chloride to prevent termites.

• Excess of copper in human beings causes a disease called Wilson's.

• Galvanised iron is coated with zinc.

• The rusting of iron is a chemical change which increases the weight of iron.

Calcium Compounds

• Calcium hydride is called hydrolith.

• Calcium hydride is used to prepare fireproof and waterproof clothes.

• Calcium Carbide (CaC₂) reacts with water to produce acetylene gas.

• Barium hydroxide is known as baryta water.

• Barium sulphate is used in X-rays of the abdomen as a barium meal.

• Barium Sulphate (BaSO) is used as a barium meal in X-rays of the stomach.

Magnesium and Flash Bulb

• In a flashbulb, magnesium wire is kept in an atmosphere of nitrogen gas.

• Flashbulbscontain magnesium wire in a medium of nitrogen.

Titanium and Group Elements

• Titanium is called a strategic metal because it is lighter than iron.

• Group 1 elements are called alkali metals because their hydroxides are alkaline, whereas group 2 elements are called alkaline earth metals.

• Group I elements are called alkali metals, and their hydroxides are alkaline, while group II elements are called alkaline earth metals.

Alloys and Compounds

• Babbitt metal contains 89% Sn (Tin), 9% Sb (Antimony) and 2% Cu (copper).

• Gunpowdercontains 75% potassium nitrate, 10% sulphur and 15% charcoal.

• Chromium trioxide is known as chromic acid.

• Nichrome wire is used in electrical heater [(Ni, Cr, Fe)]

• Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) is known as pearl ash.

• Britannia metal is an alloy of antimony (Sb), copper (Cu) and tin (Sn).

• Stannous Sulphide (SnS) is also called Mosaic gold. It is used as paint.

Water and Electricity

• Zeolite is used to remove hardness of water.

• In cytochrome, iron (Fe) is present.

• Selenium metal is used in photoelectric cells.

• Silver and copper are the best conductors of electricity.

• Gold and silver are the most malleable metals.

• Mercury and iron produce more resistance in comparison to the other during the flow of electricity.

• Silver chloride is used in photochromatic glass.

• Silver iodide is used in artificial rain.

• Silver nitrate is used as a marker during elections. It is kept in a coloured bottle to avoid decomposition.

• A silver spoon is not used in egg food because it forms black silver sulphide.

Gallium, Palladium, Radium and Steel

• Gallium metal is liquid at room temperature.

• Palladium metal is used in aeroplanes.

• Radium is extracted from pitchblende.

• The world-famous Eiffel Tower has a steel and cement base.

• Actinides are radioactive elements.

Nuclear Applications

• A cadmium rod is used in a nuclear reactor to slow down the speed of neutrons.

• Sodium peroxide is used in submarines and also to purify closed air in hospitals.

• Co (60) is used in cancer treatment.

• Zirconium (Zr), cadmium (Cd) and boron (B) have the capability to absorb neutrons. So, they are used in nuclear reactors.

Potassium and Oxides

• Onion and garlic have an odour due to potassium.

• Oxides of metals are alkaline.

Fireworks and Colours

• In fireworks, the crimson red colour is due to the presence of strontium (Sr).

• Green colour is due to the presence of barium in fireworks.

• The green colour seen in firework displays is due to the barium chloride salt.

• The green light produced while burning crackers is due to the presence of barium.

• The crimson red light produced while burning crackers is due to strontium (Sr).

Lithium, Osmium, Platinum and Zinc

• Lithium is the lightest and the most reductant element.

• Osmium is the heaviest metal, and platinum is the hardest.

• Zinc oxide is known as flower of zinc. It is also known as Chinese white and used as white paint.

Gold, Silver, Copper and Mercury

• To harden the gold, copper is mixed in. Pure gold is 24 carat.

• Silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt) and bismuth (Bi) are found in an independent state because they are much less reactive.

• Gold, platinum, silver and mercury are noble metals.

• Gold and silver are the most malleable among metals.

• Mercury is also known as quicksilver. Mercury is kept in iron vessels because it does not make amalgams with iron.

• Mercury and iron provide much resistance to the flow of electric current.

Iron Compounds

• Iron pyrite (FeS₂) is known as fool's gold.

• The reaction of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) with aluminium is used to fill up the cracks of railway tracks and machine parts. This reaction is called the thermite reaction.

• Anaemia is caused by a deficiency of iron in the body, while an excess of iron in the body may cause siderosis. Bantu tribes of Africa suffer from siderosis because they drink beer in iron utensils.

• Wrought iron is the purest form of iron.

• Percentage of carbon in cast iron = 2.5-5%; in wrought iron, 0.1-0.2%.

Aluminium and Tungsten

• Aluminium was first extracted in 1827 AD as potassium urangly ortho vanadate.

• Aluminium hydroxide is used to make waterproof and stainless clothes.

• The melting point of tungsten (W) is 3500°C. In India, tungsten is produced in the Degana mine situated in Rajasthan.

• To prevent oxidation of tungsten, air is removed from the electric bulb.

Zirconium and Beryllium

• Baddeleyite, or Zircona (ZrO₂), is an ore of Zirconium.

• Beryl (3BeO-Al₂O₃-6SiO₂) is an ore of beryllium.

Lead and Alloys

• Lead pipe is not used for drinking water because it forms poisonous lead hydroxide.

• Fuse wire is made up of lead and tin.

• Lead is a stable element. So, it is used to write on paper.

• Combustion of petrol in automobiles pollutes air by producing lead.

• Lead arsenic is an alloy used to make bullets.

• Carbon lead is used to make artificial parts of the body.

• Lead oxide is also called litharge. It is an amphoteric oxide. It is used in rubber industries in the manufacturing of storage batteries and flint glass.

• Tetraethyl lead is used as an anti-knocking compound.

Miscellaneous Metals

• Ultra purification of a metal is done by zone melting.

• Auric chloride (AuCl) is used to make antivenom needles.

• Sodium can be easily cut with a knife.

• Silver is not attaced by air or moisture. However, air contaminated with hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) cover it with an adherent film of black silver sulphide (Ag₂S).

Final Thoughts

Metals play a vital role in our daily life, from construction to electronics. Zinc compounds like zinc phosphide and zinc chloride protect us from pests, while copper is essential but can cause Wilson’s disease if in excess. Iron rusting, alloys like Babbitt metal, and aluminium applications showcase the versatility of metals.

Fireworks get their vibrant colours from metals like barium and strontium, while magnesium wires in flash bulbs demonstrate their reactive properties. Noble metals like gold, silver, and platinum remain uncombined due to low reactivity.

Metals like cadmium, zirconium, and boron are crucial in nuclear reactors, and tungsten’s high melting point makes it ideal for bulbs. Understanding these facts highlights the fascinating world of metals around us.