Properties of metals in every day used articles

Iron, aluminium, copper and zinc are among the most important metals in daily use.
The inside of electric cables consist of metals. Cooking pots are made of metals, but have plastic handles. On what properties of metals do these applications depend? What do metals have in common and how do they differ? In the following experiment you will investigate some properties and to find answers to these questions.

Experiment

1.     Point the tip of the flame of the gas burner at both beverage cans, marked with Fe (iron) and Al (aluminium).

2.     Hold a magnet to both cans and then to the other metal pieces.

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3.     Hold two different pieces of metal at the same time over the top of a candle flame. As soon as the metal is too hot, please let it fall.

4.     Build an open circuit from the battery through the battery clip, the luster terminal, the LED and the pins as shown in Figure 2.

5.     Touch now with the wire ends one metal piece after the other and also the cans at places rubbed with sandpaper.

Work the metal pieces as close together as possible with a hammer. Use the second hammer as an anvil.

First publication: 02.08.2014