Metals that ring

The idea

Metals that produce a sound on striking a hard surface are said to be sonorous.

A clang

A metal object is struck against a hard surface.

What do you notice?

• It produces a sound
• It becomes soft
• It becomes a liquid

Strike a metal

Press Next step.

Sonorous

A metal that gives out a sound when it is struck on a hard surface is called sonorous.

Metals that produce a sound on striking a hard surface are said to be sonorous.

Notes

Metals that produce a sound on striking a hard surface are sonorous.

Check yourself

Metals that produce a sound on striking a hard surface are called ...

A metal is struck on a hard surface and gives a sound. Which word describes it?

To find out if a metal is sonorous, you would see whether it ...

• malleable. Malleable metals can be beaten into thin sheets.
• ductile. Ductile metals can be drawn into thin wires.
• sonorous — correct. Yes!
• Sonorous — correct. Yes!
• Lustrous. Lustrous describes a shining surface, not a sound.
• Malleable. Malleable describes being beaten into sheets, not a sound.
• can be drawn into a wire. That tests ductility.
• produces a sound when struck on a hard surface — correct. Yes!
• has a shining surface. That is lustre.