6th Grade Science - Metal, Non-Metal and Metalloids

element

a pure substance composed of the same type of atom throughout

conductor

a substance that readily transfers heat or electrical energy

semiconductor

a substance that shows the property of electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and that of an insulator; the foundation of modern electronics

periodic table of elements

a table in which all the known elements are arranged by properties and are represented by one or two letters, referred to as chemical symbols

brittle

a tendency to break rather than flex or bend

matter

anything that has mass and takes up space

nonmetals

elements in the periodic table that are typically not shiny, not malleable, and poor conductors of heat and electricity; usually gases or brittle solids

metalloids

elements in the periodic table that have properties of both metals and nonmetals; sometimes referred to as semiconductors

physical property

measurable characteristics that describe the physical state of something, including mass, magnetism, temperature, density, shape, volume, and conductivity.

metals

most elements in the periodic table; they are typically solid, shiny, malleable, and good conductors of heat and electricity

insulator

a material that does not conduct heat or electrical current

Computer chips are made of materials called semiconductors because this is a type of material that conducts electricity, but not as well as a metal. We an more easily control the amount of electricity that passes through a semiconductor. Metalloids are often used to make semiconductors.

How and why are semiconductors used in electronic devices?

They change the amount of metalloid that is added to the computer chip to change the conductive properties.

How does an engineer change the conductive properties of a computer chip?

One of the benefits of adding small amounts of metalloids to the semiconductor is that smaller, faster computer chips have been created. These advances to semiconductor conductive properties have allowed rapid growth in computer and cellular phone technology

How have metalloids helped in the rapid growth of computer and cellular phone technology?

The door handle may feel cold because it conducts heat easily (it does not attract cold air). When you touch the metal door handle, heat transfers from you to the handle, which makes it feel cold.

Why does a metal door handle feel cold to the touch?

Luster: most metals are shiny Malleability: most metals can be molded or stretched into sheets when they are heated (aluminum can be hammered into thin sheets of aluminum foil). Most metals are also ductile (they can be pulled into thin wires). Conductivity: most metals are conductors of heat and electricity (they flow easily through them)

What are the properties of a metal?

Luster: either shiny or dull Malleability: can be malleable and ductile (like metals) or brittle (like nonmetals). Conductivity: intermediate heat and electricity conductivity

What are the properties of metalloids?

Luster: usually dull in appearance Malleability: usually more brittle than metals; they cannot be molded or stretched like metals can. Conductivity: do not allow either heat or electricity to flow through them easily (they are insulators).

What are the properties of nonmetals?

aluminum cans, silver coins, and gold jewelry

What are three examples of metals?

Silicon and Germanium

What are two common elements found in semiconductors?

solid sulfur and carbon nuggets

What are two examples of nonmetals?

Quartz, it is a metalloid

What is a pure form of silicon? Is it a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?

metalloid

What is used to make a semiconductor? (metal, nonmetal, or metalloid)

gases

What state of matter are many nonmetals at room temperature?

it would shatter into many smaller pieces

What would likely happen if you struck a nonmetal with a hammer?

a diagonal line of these elements separates the metals from the nonmetals

Where are metalloids located on the periodic table?

on the left and lower side of the periodic table

Where are metals on the periodic table?

all (except hydrogen) are on the upper-right side of the periodic table

Where are nonmetals on the periodic table?

Heat does not easily pass through air, it is an insulator. The air pockets insulate the objects.

Why are air pockets often built into jackets, buildings, and other objects that are intended to keep people warm?

Electrical wires are often made of copper because the metal allows electrons to flow through the metal wire.

Why are electrical wires often made of copper?

This happens because the metal door handle is a good conductor of electricity. Electrons jump from you to the door, and the shock is called static electricity.

Why do you sometimes feel a brief shock when you touch a metal door handle?

A frying pan is made of metal because the heat from a stove can transfer through the metal pan and cook the food.

Why is a frying pan made of metal?

classify/classification

sort or put into groups based on similar or dissimilar physical, chemical, or biological characteristics

conductivity

the ability of a substance to transfer heat or electrical energy

malleability

the ability of something to be reshaped without breaking

luster

the way the surface of a mineral reflects light; either metallic or non-metallic such as silky, dull, glassy, or resinous.