At one time, metal became an integral attribute of the industrial revolution and a symbol of industrial power. The importance of this resource is, of course, very great, but how many have wondered how diverse this group of chemical elements is? Or what curious properties are observed in some metals, and also what incredible qualities are sometimes attributed to them? Unlikely. So it’s worth expanding your understanding of this topic and listing some interesting facts about metals.
Subgroups
At the moment, there are 94 chemical elements in the periodic table that are regarded as metals. All are divided into 7 subgroups:
- alkaline;
- alkaline earth;
- transitional;
- lungs;
- semimetals;
- lanthanides;
- actinides.
Metals of the first four subgroups require special consideration.
Alkali metals
They gained their name due to the properties of conversion to alkali in an aqueous environment.
A little-known interesting fact about alkali metals: lithium has some life-giving properties. In particular, it contributes to the treatment of gout. So, even in antiquity, people noticed the healing properties of clay, which is enriched with lithium. Ointments and compresses from this material helped to alleviate the symptoms of gout.
Elements of this group were also used in the construction of nuclear submarines. Sodium is used as a coolant in electric generators installed in the nuclear reactor of a submarine. It provides rotation of the steam blades.
But sodium requires special handling. When interacting with it, one should take into account its violent reaction with liquids. Even a simple touch of sodium with a bare wet hand can provoke a small explosion.
Alkalis are also important for health. Deficiency of sodium and potassium in the human body causes severe cramps and pain, so you should not limit yourself to water and salt.
Alkaline earth metals
This group has a high density and a high melting point. An interesting fact about metals: barium and radium are highly toxic. It is curious that radium that has got into the body is inclined to transport more than 70% to the bone, but due to its high toxicity it contributes to the formation of oncological lesions of bone tissue.
In 1950, 4 people were admitted to the republican hospital of the Komi Republic at once, with a percentage of skeletal tissue damage by malignant tumors in the region of 70-85%, which was caused by long-term development of underground mineralized deposits of radium.
Transition metals
This group deserves special attention. Interesting facts about the metals related to it cannot be ignored, since it is the most numerous. This group combines elements with a wide variety of properties.
Many non-ferrous metals of the transition group are involved in the production of products of the electrical industry, as they have the properties of electrical conductors.
Fun fact: it is well known that Japan is a leader in the supply of high-tech equipment in the world market. In the city of Suva, an assessment was made of the concentration of gold in the ash mass obtained from the burning of sedimentary deposits of the city collector. The final indicators exceeded the results of similar experiments in the richest mines on the planet by about 50 times, which was explained by the presence of a huge industrial zone where electronics are manufactured using precious metal alloys, mainly gold. By the way, you can tell a lot of interesting things about him.
Gold
Everyone knows that products made of this material combine prestige, sophistication and luxury. Gold jewelry is a wonderful gift. But who would have thought that in Switzerland there are a number of companies producing fragmented tiles in the manner of chocolate, which can be used as a gift? Or in settlement transactions. It is interesting that each tile consists of shares with a denomination of 1 gram and is easily divided into parts.
An interesting fact about the metal: as of 2014, around 179 tons of gold were mined around the world, about half of which is in the Republic of South Africa. Almost the same amount of iron is mined from the bowels of the Earth hourly.
Gold is a very soft metal, for this reason it is usually alloyed with impurities of copper or silver in the manufacture of jewelry.
Mercury
This is the only metal that can stay in a liquid state of aggregation in room conditions. The toxicity of mercury vapor is known to everyone, but only chemists know how this element affects the properties of aluminum.
Legislative acts and documents regulating the procedure and rules for the movement of goods on board aircraft in some countries strictly prohibit the transport of mercury, since if it gets on an aluminum surface, it can burn a hole, which is especially important on board an aircraft, the design of which includes many parts made from this material.
Copper and cobalt
Listing interesting facts about metals in chemistry, it is worth mentioning these elements. Copper is of particular interest to vandals and non-ferrous metal hunters. It is found in transformer booths, since copper elements are not able to give a spark.
But in the East, mainly in Japan, copper is used in fisheries as a substance that prevents the appearance of aquatic fungal diseases in water bodies.
And the emergence of cobalt is associated with Scandinavian mythology. Norwegian blacksmiths, who were engaged in the smelting of cobalt-containing minerals, received arsenic poisoning. They attributed their malaise and headache to the revenge of a mountain demon - Kobold, avenging people for the ruin of his mines. So the name of this metal appeared. The origin of the nickel name is similar.
Iron
It is the most popular element of the transition group. An interesting fact about metal: in ancient times, when mankind was not yet familiar with steel production technologies, iron was strengthened by burning in manure and rags of leather, due to which carbon enrichment of the material took place and strength increased significantly. Therefore, forges were often built near the stables.
It is impossible not to mention the corrosion of metal. An interesting fact: the fact that iron is oxidized during interaction with oxygen is primarily taken into account by astronauts when equipping the inventory compartment of a spacecraft. And of course, why! Indeed, under conditions of cosmic vacuum, iron is not able to oxidize, and when it comes into contact with other metals, they literally stick together.
To avoid this problem, tools for working in outer space are enveloped with a special plastic base or subjected to oxidation on Earth.
Silver
Many are familiar with the expression: "Silver is more expensive than gold." It is not true. Nevertheless, this statement grows on the basis of the beneficial, healing, and cleansing properties of silver. Water, which has been in dishes for a long time from this material, acquires antitoxic properties. This explains the high popularity of silver utensils in the old days. For these reasons, silver water purifiers operate on modern space stations.
The first products from this metal were discovered in Egypt, and they number more than 6 thousand years old. In the territory of modern India, it is customary to eat desserts coated with the finest silver foil, which helps to maintain the health of the gastrointestinal tract in conditions of high unsanitary conditions.
This metal is actively used by Asian manufacturers of thermoregulation technology, mainly - in the assembly of air conditioners with air cleaning function.
In ancient times, silver served as a means of preventing milk oxidation. A spoon of this metal was placed in a lid with milk, due to which it did not oxidize for a long time. And finally, it stimulates the reproduction of hemoglobin, positively affects the central nervous system. Such an amazing metal - silver. There are many more interesting facts about him, but these are the main ones.
Light metals
This category is particularly toxic and difficult to detect. Polonium, an extremely toxic metal, has been repeatedly used in attempts to assassinate high-ranking officials and politicians. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it is difficult to detect in the body in the early stages, and its toxic effect is very high. A man whose food was poisoned with polonium is doomed to a painful death.
Vapors of zinc are very harmful. Nevertheless, zinc favorably affects the reproductive function of male testicles. The Indian workers of snake farms engaged in the extraction of snake venom, after repeated bites of cobras or vipers, have a strong erection and intensive production of sex hormones, due to the increased zinc content in the venom of snakes.
Corrosion
This is a purely negative process, although it has its own advantages. Even 100 years ago, Caucasian horsemen realized the full utility of the corrosion process for the production of durable, non-dull blades.
So, they first began to bury their sabers and blades in the ground for a couple of years, where they gained strength and the ability to cut even the hardest fibers. These characteristics of the metal were achieved due to the absorbing properties of rust, which, being in the ground, absorbed organic elements and carbon compounds.
The Indian engineering science community has invented its own innovative method for protecting metal surfaces by catalyzing corrosion and then applying oxidized paint to a rusted surface. Thus, a special paint reacts with rust and forms a uniform, strong protective layer.
In the production of carcass cutting tools, alloys with a small percentage of chromium, copper and nickel are used, due to which the product is quickly covered with corrosion, under which a strong protective layer is formed over time, preventing further formation of rust.
Other curious facts
The incredibly durable titanium, surprisingly, finds its highest recognition not in metallurgy, not in engineering or technology, but in the production of synthetic plastics, paper and paints.
Aluminum in 1885 was considered one of the most expensive metals. And he was valued above gold and silver. The presence of aluminum buttons among the officers of the French army was regarded as a sign of supreme nobility.
During the construction of satellites and space radiation dosimeters, the Americans at one time decided to cut the Kronprinz Wilhelm ship, which had sunk at the end of the First World War, because steel manufactured after 1945 contains too much radiation. The use of such a metal would prevent the collection of reliable data.
And finally, the fact of California. It is the most expensive synthesized metal. Its value exceeds 6.5 million per gram. The photo, by the way, is presented above.
In fact, you can still tell a lot of interesting facts about metals. Chemistry is an amazing science, and each element of the periodic table has unique, inimitable properties and qualities.