MODULE 1

WORKSHEET

COMPARING THE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF
SOME ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENT:

Syllabus reference 8.2.2

INTRODUCTION
Pure substances (elements and compounds) can be identified by their physical and chemical
properties. Common properties are colour, physical state, melting and boiling points, density,
electrical conductivity, solubility, hardness and malleability.
Some properties are more useful in classifying elements into the groupings, metals, non-metals and
semi-metals than others.
Complete the following table.
PROPERTY

METALS

NON-METALS

SEMI-METALS

Physical state at room

temperature
Conducts electricity?
(yes/no)
Melting point
(high/low)
Boiling point (high/low)
Solubility in water
Lustre (shiny/dull)
Malleability
Hardness

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You may have found that because of the range of elements grouped under the non-metal category
there is quite a degree of variation in some of these properties.

TASK
You are to plan and perform a series of tests to decide whether the materials you have been given are
metals, non-metals or semi-metals.
1

Consider the answers you have given in the table and decide which properties (at least three)
would be the most appropriate for determining whether an element is a metal, non-metal or semimetal.

SAFETY: Remember to consider the limitations of your laboratory facilities and

equipment as well as safety.

Here are guidelines for material testing.

PROPERTY

TEST

Lustre

Clean the surface of the material with some abrasive paper and
observe the surface to determine if it is shiny, glassy, metallic,
pearly or dull.

Electrical conductivity

Connect a power supply (battery or transformer), globe or

ammeter, and material sample in series to make a simple circuit.
Note if the globe lights or the reading on the ammeter.

Hardness

Scratch the material with a steel knife. If the material can be

scratched by the knife it is softer than steel, if the material
scratches the knife it is harder than steel.

Malleability

Use a hammer to see if the material will flatten out, if it shatters or

forms a powder.

Solubility in water

Dip part of the sample into boiling water for 60 seconds and
observe whether it dissolves or softens.

Write out a step by step procedure for conducting the tests.

SAFETY: Remember to consider safety aspects of the tests.

Write a list of equipment you will need.

Construct a data table to record the results.

Having completed the investigation decide on which group each of the materials fits into. It may
be useful to use the following as a guide.

Copyright 2008 McGraw-Hill Australia

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MATERIAL

LUSTRE

ELECTRICAL
MALLEABILITY
CONDUCTIVITY

HARDNESS

SOLUBILITY

GROUP

Discuss any difficulties you had or any inconsistencies you discovered.

Copyright 2008 McGraw-Hill Australia

CONQUERINGCHEMISTRY PRELIM

MODULE 1 WS 5