List of Metals

This entry was posted on September 3, 2014 by Todd Helmenstine (updated on February 14, 2022)

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.

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 metal 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.