• Question: how do people find different metal

    Asked by sinnita to Peter, Ben on 22 Nov 2011. This question was also asked by ilikescientist8.
    • Photo: Ben Still

      Ben Still answered on 22 Nov 2011:

      Different metals are found in the same way all other elements were discovered – just through exploration. The metals lie in the middle of the periodic table and all have metalic-like properties such as a sea of (semi) free electrons when they form solids. To get from one metal to the next you just add protons and electrons – add too many you get to a noble gas or non-metal, keep adding protons/electrons and you’ll get back to metalic like properties again.

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