Definitions (Metals)

METALS

Metal: The electro-positive elements that are good conductors of heat and electricity and are lustrous, malleable and ductile in nature.

Alloy: a homogeneous mixture of metal with other metal and non-metals.

Aqua-regia: The mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid in the ratio of 3:1 is called aqua-regia.

Gangue: The undesirable substance associated with metal is known as gangue.

Slag: The easily fusible waste material formed when a flux combines with the gangue in a furnace.

Mineral: The naturally occurring compounds of metal in the earth’s crust.

Ores: The minerals from which metal can be extracted economically, profitably and conveniently is called ores of that metal.

Metallurgy: The complex and sequential process of extracting metals from their respective ores.

Rusting: The slow conversion of iron into reddish-brown hydrated iron oxide (rust) by reaction with moisture and oxygen of the air. (For metals in general, this process is called corrosion.)

Blister copper: The molten form of copper that gives out impurities of gases in the forms of bubbles.

Coinage metal: Elements of group IB collectively called coinage metals since they are used for making coins.