Uses Of Metals And Nonmetals

Key Notes :

Metals:

  1. Conductivity: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, making them essential for electrical wiring, cooking utensils, and electronic devices.
  2. Strength: Metals are strong and durable, making them suitable for construction materials, such as steel beams and iron rods.
  3. Malleability: Most metals can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets, which is useful in making coins, jewelry, and metal foils.
  4. Ductility: Metals can be stretched into wires, which is crucial for making electrical wires and cables.
  5. Corrosion Resistance: Some metals, like stainless steel and aluminum, have a high resistance to corrosion, making them ideal for outdoor structures and transportation.
  6. Alloys: Many alloys, such as bronze and brass, are created by mixing metals to improve their properties for specific applications.

Common Uses of Metals:

  1. Iron: Used in construction, manufacturing machinery, and transportation (cars, trains).
  2. Copper: Used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and electronics.
  3. Aluminum: Used in aircraft, beverage cans, and window frames.
  4. Gold and Silver: Used in jewelry, coins, and electronic components.
  5. Steel: Widely used in buildings, bridges, and automobiles due to its strength and durability.

Nonmetals:

  1. Poor Conductivity: Nonmetals are poor conductors of heat and electricity, which makes them unsuitable for electrical wiring and cooking utensils.
  2. Brittle: Nonmetals are generally brittle and can shatter easily when subjected to force.
  3. Low Density: Most nonmetals have low densities, making them useful in lightweight materials.
  4. Non-Malleable and Non-Ductile: Nonmetals cannot be hammered into thin sheets or stretched into wires like metals.

Common Uses of Nonmetals:

  1. Oxygen: Essential for respiration, used in medical applications and combustion processes.
  2. Carbon: Used in making pencils, as a fuel source (coal), and in the manufacturing of plastics and rubber.
  3. Hydrogen: Used as a fuel in rockets and for hydrogen fuel cells.
  4. Nitrogen: Used in food packaging to prevent spoilage and as an industrial gas.
  5. Silicon: Used in the production of semiconductors and computer chips.
  6. Sulfur: Used in the manufacture of chemicals, such as sulfuric acid and fertilizers.

Metalloids: These are elements that exhibit properties of both metals and nonmetals. Examples include silicon and germanium, which are used in electronic devices.

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