Chemistry Stack Exchange
Chemistry Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [metal]

For questions about metals in general and their physical or chemical properties. For characteristic properties and reactions of d and f block metals specifically, use the [transition-metals] and [rare-earth-elements] tags respectively instead.

A metal is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat, characterized by an opaque lustrous appearance and the absence of a bandgap.

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My sample of gallium does not melt

I held gallium under a heat lamp. It didn't melt. I didn't even find a thin film of liquid gallium. Can anyone explain why? Does gallium rust?
user10700
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Is there a characteristic that characterizes all, and only, metals?

The Wikipedia article on metals describes them as elements whose polyatomic configurations* exhibit any one of a number of patterns. I could not discern any property that characterized all the patterns. To the best of my knowledge, there are two…
Hal
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What is the chemistry behind amalgamation?

Mercury can form amalgams with metals, such as gold, however how exactly does the "reaction" if you can call it that take place? My understanding of metal bonds is that the atoms of a metal are surrounded by a "sea" of electrons, however I don't…
baharini
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Completely chemically inert metal alloy?

Background: I was a chemistry major and have recently started watching this series of videos by NurdRage. I learned that Platinum dissolves in Aqua Regia but Ruthenium is only attacked by high temperature halogens and some alkalis. Question: Would a…
Cris Stringfellow
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Does metal oxidize (faster) in dirt?

I had an interesting event occur recently: I stuck a screwdriver in a potted plant, for it is the only way that I am able to unlock a certain door. It was left in there for about a month before I needed it again, and, when I took it out, it had what…
Conor O'Brien
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Does there exist a black coloured metal?

Most of the metals are just painted/coated black. Does there exist a black coloured metal, either natural or artificial, such that even when we scratch it, it will still remain black?
O S
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Would a single atom of a metal bond with a plate of that metal?

A question purely for my own curiosity. I am trying to understand what "holds the atoms in a metal bar" in shape. A general question about metals, but let's use gold as an example. Under suitable laboratory conditions if we isolated a single atom…
TaoRich
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How is titanium metal obtained from natural resources?

How does titanium occur in nature? Is it available as a native metal or only in the form of ores? Which precesses are typically used to convert the natural resources to the solid metal? Any hints on where to find further information are welcome.…
IronMan
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How to dissolve bronze at room temperature

Is there any way to dissolve about 10 kg of bronze at room temperature? If yes, which substance would be the best to use and how would the reaction look like?
Matěj Kripner
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Effects of potassium hydroxide & carbonate on metals?

BACKGROUND I am in the process of restoring an old computer. The problem with the computer is that it has a NiCad battery fitted to the motherboard, which powers a real-time-clock circuit. The NiCad battery has leaked onto the motherboard. The…
Q''
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In solid Iron, what is the charge of the positive atom?

I'm familiar with the sea model of metals. What I'm curious about is: exactly how many electrons are lost by the iron, to be absorbed into the sea of electrons? For a general metal, how many electrons are lost to the sea of electrons? Thanks
extremeaxe5
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How can I identify corrosion products of steel using simple process?

As I am doing a research regarding corrosion, I immersed a steel in a salt solution. Different colors of corrosion products were produced as time passed. There are blackish, the usual red-brownish, and others. But, I need to identify if it is really…
Acid
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Will unused spare razor blades rust if stored for a long time?

I am considering purchasing 16 razor blade spares for a reduced price, but am unsure if they will be good as new if I were to use them several months from now. If left alone in the packaging (they come in plastic cartridge cases with one side…
Mars
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Metal nail reaction in wall filler

Please help explain what is happening to this nail. It has been in this wall filler for a good few months. The substance being excreted was rising up forming these stalagmites, with a liquid forming on them. Removing the nail, there were also…
Andrew
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What happens to the mobility of Group 1 elements going down the periodic table?

Whilst reading the book, So you want to go to Oxbridge (Third Edition), I noticed that it states that a past question given during an interview for the place on the undergraduate chemistry course (M.Chem) was: What happens to the mobility of Group…
Saul McShane
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