Metallelementen

Metallelementen are chemical elements that exhibit metallic properties. These properties typically include high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, malleability (the ability to be hammered into thin sheets), ductility (the ability to be drawn into wires), and a lustrous appearance. In the periodic table, the majority of elements are classified as metals, occupying the left and central portions.

Metallelementen generally have low ionization energies and electronegativities, meaning they tend to lose electrons easily to form positive ions (cations). This characteristic is fundamental to their chemical behavior, particularly in forming ionic bonds with nonmetals. At standard temperature and pressure, most metallelementen are solid, with the exception of mercury, which is a liquid.

Common examples of metallelementen include iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, and sodium. These elements are essential to modern civilization, finding widespread use in construction, electronics, transportation, jewelry, and countless industrial processes. Their alloys, mixtures of metals or metals with other elements, often possess enhanced or unique properties that make them even more versatile. The specific properties of a metallelement are determined by its atomic structure and electron configuration.