Page 131 - Science Class 6 Times Publication

and electricity from one place to another. Hence, metals are the
elements which are hard, shiny and good conductors of heat and
electricity. Iron, copper, silver, gold, aluminium, etc are some
examples of metals.

Properties of metals

The properties of the metals are called metallic properties. The
metals have the following properties:
1. Physical state and hardness

Generally the metals are hard solids at the room temperature. But,
mercury is a metal which is liquid at the room temperature. The
non-metals may be either solid, liquid or gas at the room temperature.

Activity 12.1

To test the hardness of two solids

Materials required: An iron sheet, a brick, an iron nail, etc.

Procedure

1. Place an iron sheet and a brick on a table.

2. Try to scratch the iron sheet and the brick with the help of the
same iron nail. Which one will be scratched more?

Observation
It is hard to scratch the iron sheet but scratching the brick is
comparatively easy.

Conclusion: The metals are hard solids. The non-metals are not as
hard as metals.

Times' Crucial Science and Environment 127 Book 6