A shining surface
Pure metals have lustre.
A pure metal
Imagine a piece of metal in its pure state, with nothing on it.
What does its surface look like?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Metals in their pure state have a shining surface; this property is called metallic lustre.
A pure metal
Imagine a piece of metal in its pure state, with nothing on it.
What does its surface look like?
- It has a shining surface
- It is dull and powdery
- It is rough like sand
Look at the metal
Press Next step to go through the picture.
Shine of a pure metal
In its pure state a metal has a shining surface. Scientists give this property a name: metallic lustre. We can use it, with other physical properties, to start grouping substances.
Metals in their pure state have a shining surface; this property is called metallic lustre.
Notes
Metals in their pure state have a shining surface: metallic lustre.
Check yourself
What is the shining surface of a pure metal called?
In which state does a metal have a shining surface?
Lustre is a ... property of metals.
- Malleability. Malleability is the property of being beaten into thin sheets.
- Metallic lustre — correct. Yes!
- Ductility. Ductility is the ability to be drawn into thin wires.
- After it has been burnt. The book links lustre to a metal in its pure state, not to the metal after burning.
- After it has reacted with an acid. The book links lustre to a metal in its pure state, not to the metal after a reaction.
- In its pure state — correct. Yes!
- physical — correct. Yes!
- chemical. A chemical property is about how a substance reacts; lustre is a physical property.
- electrical. Lustre is about the shining surface, which is a physical property.