What are the general properties of metals in the periodic table?

Metals, which are found on the left side and center of the periodic table, generally have high electrical and thermal conductivity, are malleable and ductile, and possess a shiny luster. They tend to lose electrons easily, forming positive ions, and are typically solid at room temperature, with the exception of mercury.

How do metals differ from non-metals in the periodic table?

Metals differ from non-metals in several ways. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, are malleable and ductile, and have a shiny appearance. Non-metals, on the other hand, are poor conductors, are often brittle when solid, and lack the metallic luster. These differences are due to the distinct electron configurations and bonding characteristics of metals and non-metals.

Why are metals good conductors of electricity?

Metals are good conductors of electricity because they have free electrons that can move easily throughout the metal lattice. This 'sea of electrons' allows electric current to flow efficiently through the metal. The delocalized electrons in metals are not bound to any specific atom, which facilitates the transfer of electrical energy.

What is the significance of metals in the IB MYP Science curriculum?

In the IB MYP Science curriculum, studying metals is crucial for understanding the properties and behaviors of elements in the periodic table. Metals are used to illustrate key concepts such as atomic structure, bonding, and the periodic trends. This knowledge is foundational for exploring more complex topics in chemistry and materials science.

How are metals extracted and refined for use in everyday applications?

Metals are typically extracted from ores through processes such as mining, smelting, and electrolysis. For example, iron is extracted from its ore using a blast furnace, while aluminum is obtained through electrolysis of bauxite. Refining processes remove impurities, resulting in pure metals that can be used in various applications, from construction to electronics.

Why is "Treating all metals as equally good conductors." a common mistake in Metals?

Why it happens: Conductivity is a 'metal property'. How to avoid it: Silver (best) > copper > gold > aluminium > iron. Choice considers cost, weight and corrosion resistance too.

Why is "Saying copper reacts with dilute HCl." a common mistake in Metals?

Why it happens: Forgetting the reactivity series rule. How to avoid it: Only metals ABOVE H in the series react with dilute acids. Cu, Ag, Au do NOT.

Periodic tableIB MYP Sciences (Years 1-5)

Metals

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Metals — IB MYP Sciences: their properties, reactivity series and important uses

About three-quarters of the Periodic Table is metals. This MYP Sciences note covers the typical physical and chemical properties of metals, the reactivity series of the most common ones, and how their properties are matched to everyday uses.

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the IB MYP Sciences subject guide (2026 onwards).

MYP Sciences A — Describe typical physical and chemical properties of metals.
MYP Sciences A — Recall the reactivity series and use it to predict reactions.
MYP Sciences D — Justify the choice of a specific metal for a specific use.

Typical properties of metals

Shiny, conducting, malleable. They lose electrons easily.

Physical properties (from metallic bonding):

Shiny (lustrous) — free electrons reflect light.
Conduct heat and electricity — delocalised electrons move freely.
Malleable and ductile — ion layers can slide past each other.
Mostly high melting and boiling points — strong attraction between ions and electron sea.
High density in most cases.

There are exceptions: mercury is a LIQUID at room temperature; the alkali metals are SOFT enough to cut with a knife.

Chemical properties:

Lose electrons to form positive ions (cations).
React with oxygen to form metal oxides (sometimes slowly — that's corrosion).
React with water if reactive enough (Group 1 and 2 vigorously; Mg slowly; Fe very slowly).
React with acids if above hydrogen in the reactivity series, producing salt + H₂.
Often form basic oxides (which react with acids to form salts + water).

Less reactive metals (Cu, Ag, Au) found NATIVE. Most metals exist as oxides or sulfides in ores.

Shiny, conduct, malleable, mostly high MP.
Lose electrons → form cations.
React with O₂, H₂O, acids — depending on reactivity.

Reactivity series in action

The series predicts every reaction with water, acid and other metal compounds.

The reactivity series (most reactive at top):

K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > (H) > Cu > Ag > Au

Using it:

Above H: reacts with acids → salt + H₂. So Mg + HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂. Cu + HCl → no reaction.
Above Mg: reacts with cold water. K and Na fizz vigorously; Ca more gently; Mg only reacts with steam.
DISPLACEMENT: a more reactive metal pushes a less reactive one out of its salt solution. Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu.
EXTRACTION: K-Al need electrolysis. Zn-Cu can be extracted by carbon reduction. Au and Ag found native or by simple heating.

Reactions of the most reactive metals with water:

2K + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂ (lilac flame, very violent).
2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ (rapid, can ignite).
Ca + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂ (steady fizzing).
Mg + steam → MgO + H₂ (slow at room T, faster when heated).

All produce HYDROGEN gas — easy to identify with the lit-splint pop test.

Above H → reacts with acids.
Above Mg → reacts with cold water.
Displacement: more reactive replaces less reactive in solution.

Choosing metals for jobs

Match properties to purpose.

Engineers and designers pick metals based on their PROPERTIES. A few classic examples:

Job	Metal chosen	Why
Electrical wires	Copper (or aluminium for overhead)	Excellent conductivity
Aircraft frames	Aluminium alloys	Lightweight + strong
Building structures	Steel (Fe + C)	Strong, cheap, plentiful
Cooking pans	Stainless steel / aluminium	Good thermal conduction + non-corroding
Jewellery	Gold, silver, platinum	Don't tarnish (low reactivity)
Car bodies	Steel, aluminium alloys	Strong + relatively light
Roof flashing	Lead (older), zinc (modern)	Malleable, weather-resistant
Tin can lining	Tin (or tin-plated steel)	Non-toxic, doesn't react with food

Why not always use the 'best' metal? Cost. Gold conducts better than copper, but no one wires a house with gold. Always a trade-off between properties and price.

MYP criterion D classic: 'Justify a choice of metal for a specific use.' Strong answers cite at least two properties (e.g. for aircraft frames: low density AND high strength when alloyed AND corrosion resistance).

Choose metal by matching properties to purpose.
Cost vs property is always a trade-off.
Alloys (mixtures of metals) often used to combine strengths.

How it’s examined

Criterion A tests properties and the reactivity series. Criterion D often asks for a justified choice of metal for a job.

Sources: IB MYP Sciences guide (IBO, official subject guide). Last reviewed 2026-05-25.

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Step-by-step worked examples — Metals

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on metals, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Reaction with acid
Getting started• reactivity
Question
Predict whether each metal reacts with dilute HCl: (a) zinc, (b) copper, (c) magnesium.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  (a) Zn above H → YES, Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂.
2. Step 2
  (b) Cu below H → NO reaction.
3. Step 3
  (c) Mg above H → YES, Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂.
Answer
(a) yes, (b) no, (c) yes.
2Displacement
Building confidence• displacement
Question
Predict the outcome of adding iron filings to copper(II) sulfate solution.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Iron is above copper in the reactivity series → iron displaces copper.
2. Step 2
  Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu. Brown copper deposits; blue solution fades to green-blue (FeSO₄).
Answer
Iron displaces copper. Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu. Brown Cu metal forms on the iron; solution lightens.
3Choosing the right metal
Stretch• uses
Question
Why is copper used for household electrical wires while aluminium is used for OVERHEAD high-voltage cables?
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Both conduct well. Copper conducts BETTER per cross-section but is heavier and more expensive.
2. Step 2
  For household wires: cost manageable; small distance; copper's better conductivity matters more.
3. Step 3
  For overhead cables: weight is critical (long spans on pylons). Aluminium is much LIGHTER and cheaper per metre; thicker cables compensate for the slightly worse conductivity.
Answer
Copper: better conductor per area, but heavier and pricier. Used short-distance. Aluminium: lighter, cheaper for long spans — used on overhead pylons where weight matters more than the small conductivity loss.

Key Definitions and Keywords — Metals

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for metals answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 IB MYP Sciences sitting.

Metallic properties
Examiner keyword
Shiny lustre, malleable, ductile, conducts heat and electricity. Caused by the sea of delocalised electrons.
Reactivity series
Examiner keyword
A ranking of metals by how readily they lose electrons (most reactive at top).
Displacement reaction
A more reactive metal pushes a less reactive one out of its compound.
Alloy
A mixture of a metal with one or more other elements. Often harder and stronger than pure metal.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Metals

The traps other students keep falling into on metals questions — taken from recent IB MYP Sciences examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Treating all metals as equally good conductors.
Why it happens
Conductivity is a 'metal property'.
How to avoid it
Silver (best) > copper > gold > aluminium > iron. Choice considers cost, weight and corrosion resistance too.
✕Saying copper reacts with dilute HCl.
Why it happens
Forgetting the reactivity series rule.
How to avoid it
Only metals ABOVE H in the series react with dilute acids. Cu, Ag, Au do NOT.

Practice questions

Exam-style questions with step-by-step worked solutions. Try one before checking the method.

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Metals — frequently asked questions

The things students keep getting wrong in this sub-topic, answered.

Metals

Short Study Notes in the form of Slides

Short Study Notes — Metals

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Reaction with acid

2Displacement

3Choosing the right metal

Metallic properties

Reactivity series

Displacement reaction

Alloy

✕Treating all metals as equally good conductors.

✕Saying copper reacts with dilute HCl.

Practice questions

Past paper style quiz

Assess your understanding

Metals — frequently asked questions