Metals are both malleable and reactive. Which statement correctly describes these two properties of metals? both are physical properties B both are chemical properties malleability is a physical property and reactivity is a chemical property malleability is a chemical property and reactivity is a physical property’
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: malleability is a physical property and reactivity is a chemical property.
Explanation:
- Malleability (Physical Property): Malleability refers to the ability of a material, particularly metals, to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking or cracking. This is a physical property because it describes a material’s behavior under physical conditions, such as force or pressure, without changing its chemical composition. When a metal is hammered, its shape changes, but its internal structure and chemical properties remain the same. Examples of malleable metals include gold, silver, and copper.
- Reactivity (Chemical Property): Reactivity is the ability of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction with other substances. This is a chemical property because it involves the metal’s ability to react and form new substances with other elements or compounds. For instance, metals like sodium and potassium are highly reactive with water, while iron reacts with oxygen to form rust (iron oxide). The chemical composition of the metal changes when it reacts with other substances.
Conclusion: Malleability is a physical property because it pertains to a material’s physical behavior under force, whereas reactivity is a chemical property because it describes how a material interacts with other substances to form new chemical compounds.
