01 · Sorting Game
Metal or Non-Metal?
Drag each element card into the correct category. Use atomic number and colour-coding to help you decide.
Score: 0/12
⚙ Metals
◈ Non-Metals
02 · Properties
Metals vs Non-Metals
Compare physical and chemical properties side by side. Use the simulations to see what happens at the atomic level.
⚙ Metals
Lustrous
Malleable
Ductile
Conductor
High melting pt
Solid at room temp
◈ Non-Metals
Non-lustrous
Brittle
Poor conductor
Lower melting pt
Gas/liquid possible
03 · Aluminium & Zinc
Materials Made of Al & Zn
Recognise everyday objects made from these two versatile metals.
Al
Aluminium
13
Aluminium
Lightweight, silvery-white metal. Third most abundant element in Earth's crust.
Common Objects
Cooking utensils
Beverage cans
Aircraft bodies
Kitchen foil
Window frames
Power cables
Zn
Zinc
30
Zinc
Bluish-white metal. Famous for protecting iron and steel from rusting (galvanisation).
Common Objects
Dry cell batteries
Roofing sheets
Brass instruments
Galvanised iron
White paint (ZnO)
Dietary supplements
04 · Physical Properties
Aluminium & Zinc — Physical Properties
Explore and compare the measurable physical properties of these two industrial metals.
| Property | Aluminium (Al) | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Silvery-white | Bluish-white |
| State at 25°C | Solid | Solid |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ (lightweight) | 7.1 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 660°C | 419°C |
| Boiling Point | 2,519°C | 907°C |
| Malleability | Highly malleable | Malleable (above 100°C) |
| Electrical Conductivity | Excellent | Good |
| Lustre | Bright metallic | Bright metallic |
| Reactivity | Reacts with acids & alkalis | Reacts with acids |
05 · Comparative Study
Iron vs Copper
A side-by-side look at two of humanity's most important metals — one built civilisation, one powers it.
🏗️ Iron (Fe)
🔌 Copper (Cu)
| Property | Iron (Fe) | Copper (Cu) |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Silvery-grey | Reddish-orange |
| Density | 7.87 g/cm³ | 8.96 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1,538°C | 1,085°C |
| Electrical Conductivity | Good | Excellent (2nd to silver) |
| Thermal Conductivity | High | Very high |
| Corrosion | Rusts (Fe₂O₃) | Green patina (Cu₂CO₃) |
| Magnetism | Ferromagnetic ✓ | Non-magnetic ✗ |
| Malleability | Moderate | Very high |
| Main Use | Construction & machinery | Wiring & plumbing |
Key Insight: Iron is stronger and cheaper, ideal for structural applications. Copper's exceptional conductivity makes it irreplaceable in electrical systems. Both have been central to human civilisation for thousands of years.
06 · Iron
Iron — Properties & Uses
Iron (Fe, atomic no. 26) is the most widely used metal on Earth and the backbone of the Iron Age and modern infrastructure.
Fe
Iron
26
Physical Properties
- Silvery-grey, lustrous metal
- Density: 7.87 g/cm³ (heavy)
- Melting point: 1,538°C
- Strong and hard
- Ferromagnetic (attracted to magnets)
- Good conductor of heat and electricity
- Rusts when exposed to air and moisture
Uses of Iron
Construction beams
Railway tracks
Machine parts
Cast iron cookware
Electromagnets
Bridges & ships
07 · Copper
Copper — Properties & Uses
Copper (Cu, atomic no. 29) is humanity's oldest known metal — used for over 10,000 years and still powering the modern world.
Cu
Copper
29
Physical Properties
- Distinctive reddish-orange colour
- Density: 8.96 g/cm³
- Melting point: 1,085°C
- Extremely ductile — drawn into thin wire
- 2nd best electrical conductor (after silver)
- Excellent thermal conductor
- Non-magnetic
- Forms blue-green patina (verdigris) on aging
Uses of Copper
Electrical wiring
Water pipes
Electronic circuits
Musical instruments
Coins & medals
Alloys (brass, bronze)
08 · Gold
Gold — Properties & Uses
Gold (Au, atomic no. 79) is the most non-reactive metal known — treasured for its beauty and reliability for millennia.
Au
Gold
79
Physical Properties
- Brilliant yellow colour, high lustre
- Density: 19.3 g/cm³ (very heavy)
- Melting point: 1,064°C
- Most malleable metal — 1g makes 1m² foil
- Most ductile — 1g into 2 km of wire
- Excellent electrical conductor
- Does not tarnish or corrode (inert)
- Non-toxic — safe for medical use
Uses of Gold
Jewellery
Currency reserve
Circuit board contacts
Dental work
Satellite shielding
Medals & awards
09 · Silver
Silver — Properties & Uses
Silver (Ag, atomic no. 47) is the best electrical and thermal conductor of all metals, with powerful antimicrobial properties.
Ag
Silver
47
Physical Properties
- Brilliant white metallic lustre
- Density: 10.49 g/cm³
- Melting point: 961°C
- Best electrical conductor of all metals
- Best thermal conductor of all metals
- Highly malleable and ductile
- Tarnishes slowly (forms Ag₂S)
- Antimicrobial — kills bacteria
Uses of Silver
Jewellery & ornaments
Mirrors (backing)
Photography film
Medical instruments
Batteries & solar cells
Silverware / cutlery
10 · Non-Metal · Iodine
Iodine — Introduction & Properties
Iodine (I, atomic no. 53) is a fascinating halogen non-metal — it sublimes directly from solid to violet gas at room temperature.
I
Iodine
53
Sublimation: Solid iodine skips the liquid phase entirely — it turns directly into a beautiful violet vapour when gently heated. This is called sublimation.
Physical Properties
- Dark grey-black shiny crystals (solid)
- Produces characteristic violet vapour
- Density: 4.93 g/cm³
- Melting point: 113°C
- Poor conductor of electricity (non-metal)
- Slightly soluble in water
- Soluble in alcohol (tincture of iodine)
- Turns starch blue-black — used as a test
Uses of Iodine
Antiseptic
Starch detection
Thyroid health
Iodised salt
Photography
Medicine