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Why do metals always impart their characteristic colors to a flame?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The defining characteristic of metals, in a chemical sense, is that they have between one and three valance electrons and they tend to lose electrons, as compared to non metals which have a larger number of valance electrons and are much less prone to losing them. So, when a metal is heated sufficiently, outer electrons get hot enough to leave the atom. Then, electrons are recaptured. In the process of becoming part of an atom again, an electron emits a photon, with a typical wavelength for a given element, thereby creating a characteristic color. As a result of this process, the color of a flame is mainly due to whatever metals are present.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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Which property is characteristic of many nonmetals and few metals?
The property characteristic of many nonmetals and few metals is odor.
What is a characteristic of the lanthanides?
They are silvery metals that conduct electricity
How do you differentiate metals from non metals?
Metals usually have a characteristic lustre, so you can often tell just by looking. The metals conduct electricity when solid, and non-metals, with the exception of graphite, do not. Metals react with oxygen to give basic oxides, whereas non-metals give acidic oxides.
Would rust damage limestone?
Rust is characteristic for iron and alloys (metals), not for a salt as limestone.
Is brittle a characteristic of most metals?
No. A lot of metals are quite ductile, such as aluminium, tin, copper silver, gold - even some steels can be made to be quite ductile by adding other metals or by changing the speed at which it is cooled.
Do silver ions gain or lose elections in the reduction process of a silver mirror reaction?
Metals almost always gain electrons, it gives metals their positive(+) characteristic.
What is a characteristic of nonmetal a?
One characteristic of non-metals is that they are generally gaseous at room temperature. Non-metals will also typically bond with metals easily.
Which property is characteristic of many nonmetals and few metals?
The property characteristic of many nonmetals and few metals is odor.
What is one characteristic of a nonmetal?
Metals conduct electricity; non-metals do not.
Is brittleness a characteristic of a metals?
Yes. it is
Malleability and ductility are characteristic of substances with?
Malleability and ductility are characteristic of substances with metals. Metals are the elements which are known to be malleable and ductile as part of their properties.
What are characteristic property of the alkaline earth metals?
they are harder than alkali metals
What are characteristic properties of alkaline earth metals?
they are harder than alkali metals
Is an element a characteristic of metal?
All metals except alloys of metals are elements, but not all elements are metals.
Is strong odor a characteristic of metal?
No the opposite. It is a characteristic of metals that they have very little or no odor.
Do alkali metals conduct heat and electricity?
Yes, they are metals- good conductivity is a characteristic of metals that have delocalised electron clouds.
What is a characteristic of the lanthanides?
They are silvery metals that conduct electricity
