List of Metals


Periodic Table Metals - 2017
The highlighted elements are considered the metal elements.

Most elements on the periodic table are metals. They are grouped together in the middle to the left-hand side of the periodic table. The metals consist of the alkali metals, alkaline earths, transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides. Elements that are not metals include the metalloids, nonmetals, halogens, and noble gases.

Here is a list of metals, their location on the periodic table, their properties, and uses.

Properties of Metals

The metals share several common properties, including:

  • Metals are solid at room temperature (with the exception of mercury).
  • Metals are shiny, with a metallic luster.
  • With a few exceptions, most metals have a high melting point.
  • Most are good conductors of heat.
  • Most are good electrical conductors.
  • They have low ionization energies.
  • Metals have low electronegativities.
  • They are malleable – able to be pounded into sheets.
  • They are ductile – can be pulled into wires.
  • Metals have high density values (exceptions: lithium, potassium, and sodium).
  • Most metals corrode in air or seawater.
  • Atoms of metals lose electrons in reactions. In other words, they form cations.

*Bonus Fact* Under certain conditions hydrogen can act as a metallic element. These conditions are typically found under extreme conditions such as high pressures or when frozen solid.

List of Metals

This is a list of metals in order of increasing atomic number.

 NUMBER SYMBOLELEMENT
3LiLithium
4BeBeryllium
11NaSodium
12MgMagnesium
13AlAluminum
19KPotassium
20CaCalcium
21ScScandium
22TiTitanium
23VVanadium
24CrChromium
25MnManganese
26FeIron
27CoCobalt
28NiNickel
29CuCopper
30ZnZinc
31GaGallium
37RbRubidium
38SrStrontium
39YYttrium
40ZrZirconium
41NbNiobium
42MoMolybdenum
43TcTechnetium
44RuRuthenium
45RhRhodium
46PdPalladium
47AgSilver
48CdCadmium
49InIndium
50SnTin
55CsCesium
56BaBarium
57LaLanthanum
58CeCerium
59PrPraseodymium
60NdNeodymium
61PmPromethium
62SmSamarium
63EuEuropium
64GdGadolinium
65TbTerbium
66DyDysprosium
67HoHolmium
68ErErbium
69TmThulium
70YbYtterbium
71LuLutetium
72HfHafnium
73TaTantalum
74WTungsten
75ReRhenium
76OsOsmium
77IrIridium
78PtPlatinum
79AuGold
80HgMercury
81TlThallium
82PbLead
83BiBismuth
84PoPolonium
87FrFrancium
88RaRadium
89AcActinium
90ThThorium
91PaProtactinium
92UUranium
93NpNeptunium
94PuPlutonium
95AmAmericium
96CmCurium
97BkBerkelium
98CfCalifornium
99EsEinsteinium
100FmFermium
101MdMendelevium
102NoNobelium
103LrLawrencium
104RfRutherfordium
105DbDubnium
106SgSeaborgium
107BhBohrium
108HsHassium
109MtMeitnerium
110DsDarmstadtium
111RgRoentgenium
112CnCopernicium
113NhNihonium
114FlFlerovium
115McMoscovium
116LvLivermorium
Periodic Table Nonmetals - 2017

Meet the Nonmetals

The nonmetals are another key element group. Here’s a list of them and their properties.

Location of Metals on the Periodic Table

Over 75% of the elements are metals, so they fill most of the periodic table. Metals are on the left side of the table. The two rows of elements below the main body of the table (the lanthanides and actinides) are metals.

Uses of Metals

Metals find use in every aspect of life. Here is a list of some of their uses:

  • Structural components
  • Containers
  • Wires and electrical appliances
  • Heat sinks
  • Mirrors
  • Coins
  • Jewelry
  • Weapons
  • Nutrition (iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, molybdenum)

References

  • Cox P. A. (1997). The Elements: Their Origin, Abundance and Distribution. Oxford University Press: Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-855298-7.
  • Emsley, J. (2003). Nature’s Building Blocks: An A–Z Guide to the Elements. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-850340-8.
  • Sosa Torres, Martha; Kroneck, Peter M.H. (2021). Metals, Microbes and Minerals: The Biogeochemical Side of Life. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783110589771-001
  • Strathern, P. (2000). Mendeleyev’s Dream: The Quest for the Elements. Hamish Hamilton Ltd. ISBN 978-0-241-14065-9.
  • Street, A.; Alexander, W. (1998). Metals in the Service of Man (11th ed.). Penguin Books: London. ISBN 978-0-14-025776-2.