Metals are electropositive elements with relatively low ionization energies, characterized by bright luster, hardness, and excellent conductivity of heat and electricity/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids). Here are some of the physical properties of metals:

• Luster: Metals have the quality of reflecting light from their surface and can be polished. They are shiny when cut, scratched, or polished/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids).

• Malleability: Metals have the ability to withstand hammering and can be made into thin sheets known as foils. They are strong but malleable, which means that they can be easily bent or shaped/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids).

• Ductility: Metals can be drawn into wires/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids).

• Hardness: All metals are hard except sodium and potassium, which are soft and can be cut with a knife/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids).

• Conductivity: Metals are excellent conductors of electricity and heat. They are good conductors of heat and electricity, and are malleable and ductile/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids).

• State: Metals are solids at room temperature except for mercury, which is liquid at room temperature. Gallium is liquid on hot days/07%3A_Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.06%3A_Metals_Nonmetals_and_Metalloids)[[...