Facts about Metal

A precious metal is a rare metallic chemical element of high, durable economic value.

The resulting metallic substance generally has properties significantly different from those of its components.

In chemistry today, the term base metal is used informally to refer to a metal that oxidizes or corrodes relatively easily and reacts variably with dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form hydrogen.

Traditionally, the term metal (from the Greek word metallon) has been applied to a chemical element that has a shiny surface and is a good conductor of heat and electricity.

Copper, too, is considered a base metal because it oxidizes relatively easily, although it does not react with HCl.

An alloy is a combination of two or more chemical elements, at least one of which is a metal, and where the resulting material has metallic properties.

A given metal is precious if it is rare.

Copper, an abundant metal, is an extremely good conductor of electricity and is widely used for electrical wiring.

Metal cations combine with nonmetal anions to form salts.

An interesting case of a precious metal going common is that of aluminum.

Based on these criteria, some societies, like that of Ancient Greece, are clearly civilizations, whereas others, like the Bushmen, are not.