Integrated Chemistry and Physics 1

1.13 Investigation: Identifying Unknown Metals

Purpose: To determine the identity of metals based on physical properties.

Background: Classification means grouping things together based on

similar features and properties. Categorizing matter helps to understand
the characteristics, similarities, and differences among different matters. In
this assignment, you will be exploring the physical properties of metals and
using them to identify unknown metals strips.

Review the important vocabulary for this assingment:

● Conductivity - ability of material to allow heat to flow through it

● Malleability - ability of a metal to be hammered without shattering
● Density - ratio of mass to volume of a material

Instructions: Table 1 below includes six known substances and their

densities. With the information in the table complete the following:

● Determine the density of each unknown substance in Table 2 by

calculating ρ=m/v and record your findings in the table.

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 ● Identify the substance based on its density, color, and malleability in
Table 3 and record your findings in the table.
● Answer the data analysis questions 1-4.

Remember a strip has three sides. Therefore the volume of a square is

determined by V = LWH.

Table 1: Physical Properties of Known Metals

Color Density (g/cm3) % Conductivity Malleability

Iron silver 7.874 17 Stiff but

Malleable

Lead silver 11.29 7 Malleable when

cold

Tin silver 7.31 25 Malleable when

cold

Zinc silver 7.13 27 Malleable

between 100
and 150C

Aluminum silver 2.7 61 Malleable

Copper Reddish brown 8.96 100 Malleable

Table 2: Properties of Unknown Metal Strips

Sample Color Mass Length Width Height Volume Density Malleability
cm cm cm cm3 g/cm3

A Silver 5.1 15 1.5 .02 yes

B Silver 3.3 15 1.5 .02 yes

C Reddish Brown 4.0 15 1.5 .02 yes

D Silver 3.2 15 1.5 .02 yes

E Silver 1.2 15 1.5 .02 yes

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F Silver 3.5 15 1.5 .02 Stiff

Table 3: Identification of Unknown Metal Strips

sample A B C D E F
metal

Data Analysis:

1. Why is it difficult to determine B and D?

2. How effective is color in identifying metals?

3. How effective is malleability in identifying metals?

4. What is the most effective way to identify a substance?

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
A product of Indiana Online.