3.6 - Uses of Metals

Why a metal suits its job

• A metal is picked for a job because of its properties.
• While all metals conduct heat and electricity and have relatively high strength, they differ in density, conductivity, hardness, and reactivity.

Copper - Conductor and ductile

Copper is a very good conductor of heat and electricity, and it's ductile (can be drawn into a wire without snapping):

• Electrical wiring - Good conductivity carries the current efficiently, and ductility allows it to be drawn into thin wires.
• Water pipes and tanks - Malleable enough to bend, hard enough to hold its shape once bent, unreactive with water, and has high thermal conductivity to transfer heat into a room.