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Many of them - metals that do not tarnish are the exception - the best known is gold -a so-called noble metal. Some metals that look shiny have in fact got a thin layer of oxide on them e.g. aluminium.


Most of the reactive metals do so as they are more likely to form an oxide layer!!!!

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What are very soft shiny metals with low melting points?

Some very soft shiny metals with low melting points include mercury, gallium, and cesium. These metals are considered to be soft because of their low hardness and can easily be cut with a knife. Their low melting points make them suitable for various applications such as thermometers, liquid metal coolants, and some types of batteries.


Why is it when you cut s piece of sodium metal the shiny metal soon goes dull?

When a piece of sodium metal is cut, it is exposed to air, which contains moisture and oxygen. This leads to the formation of sodium oxide and sodium hydroxide on the surface of the metal, which gives it a dull appearance. The shiny surface of the sodium metal reacts with the surrounding air and moisture, forming these compounds which are not shiny.


Why is a freshly cut piece of sodium's surface shiny?

Sodium in its natural state is shiny, like most metals. When sodium interacts with oxygen in the air, it become sodium oxide, which is much more dull. As a result, when you cut into a piece of sodium, you reveal a brand new part of the sodium that has not yet become sodium oxide and is still shiny.


Is alkali metals can be cut simply by knife but iron cannot because of alkali metals have?

Alkali metals can be cut with a knife because they are soft and have low melting points. Iron cannot be cut easily with a knife because it is a strong and hard metal. The differences in properties between alkali metals and iron make alkali metals easier to cut with a knife.


Is neptunium shiny?

The fresh surface of neptunium is silvery.

Related Questions

What property does all metals share?

They all tend to be shiny. They're not all strong as alkali metals can be cut by a normal knife.


Are alkali metals shiny gray solids soft?

yes if you cut inside it you will see all of this descriptions


Are alkali metals gray?

No, they are not.Sodium might look grey if you are looking at a tarnished surface, but a fresh-cut surface is distinctly yellow. Similarly a fresh-cut surface of potassium has a definite lilac appearance.


What family has soft silver-white shiney metals?

The alkali metals family, specifically lithium, sodium, and potassium, can exhibit soft, silvery-white, shiny characteristics. These metals are typically soft and have a shiny appearance when freshly cut due to their high reactivity with air and moisture.


What is the luster of phosphorus?

The luster of phosphorus is typically described as either waxy or slightly shiny when freshly cut. However, it quickly dulls and becomes tarnished when exposed to air due to oxidation.


What are very soft shiny metals with low melting points?

Some very soft shiny metals with low melting points include mercury, gallium, and cesium. These metals are considered to be soft because of their low hardness and can easily be cut with a knife. Their low melting points make them suitable for various applications such as thermometers, liquid metal coolants, and some types of batteries.


What is the reactive metal which can be cut by a knife?

Metals that can be cut easily are the alkali metals. They are "soft" metals that can be cut with a knife.


What are the three properties of alkali metals?

1 electron in their outer shell, very reactive and are shiny but they lose their shiny surface when exposed to air.


Is zirconium shiny or dull?

It is generally dull, but it is shiny if you cut it.


What is the texture of cesium?

Cesium (or caesium) is a metal when it is isolated as an element. Like all alkali metals, it is solid at standard temperature and pressure, and is a soft shiny metal.


Why is it when you cut s piece of sodium metal the shiny metal soon goes dull?

When a piece of sodium metal is cut, it is exposed to air, which contains moisture and oxygen. This leads to the formation of sodium oxide and sodium hydroxide on the surface of the metal, which gives it a dull appearance. The shiny surface of the sodium metal reacts with the surrounding air and moisture, forming these compounds which are not shiny.


What do the alkali metals look like when the oil is removed and a freshly cut surface exposed?

Alkali metals such as lithium, sodium, and potassium are shiny and metallic in appearance when the oil coating is removed and a freshly cut surface is exposed. They have a silvery-white color and are highly reactive with air and moisture, so they tarnish quickly when exposed to oxygen.