10 Surprising Facts About Metals In Chemistry You Should Know

Metals might not be the most exciting topic when you're flipping through your science textbook. It can feel like all you're doing is memorising lists, like which metals react with water or which are magnetic. If you’ve ever found yourself zoning out in class or wondering why metals even matter, you're not alone.

But here’s the thing: metals are way more fascinating than they get credit for. From bizarre behaviours to world-changing uses, metals have some seriously cool stories to tell. If you’re struggling to find interest in this topic during your science lessons, these fun facts might just change your perspective.

Fun fact 1: Mercury is a metal that’s liquid at room temperature

Most people expect metals to be solid and hard. But mercury breaks that rule. At room temperature, it’s a shiny silver liquid. That’s why it's used in thermometers and old-school barometers. Just don’t play with it, as mercury is toxic, and handling it without proper protection is dangerous.

Fun fact 2: Gold is so soft, you can mould it by hand

We often think of gold as a symbol of strength and value, but it’s actually incredibly soft. Pure gold is so soft you can scratch it with your fingernail or mould it with gentle pressure. That’s why gold used in jewellery is usually mixed with other metals to make it more durable.

Fun fact 3: Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust

You might be surprised to know that aluminium, the same metal used in drink cans and foil, is the most abundant metal found in the Earth’s crust. It’s lightweight, doesn’t rust easily, and is fully recyclable, making it super useful in all kinds of industries.

Fun fact 4: Some metals can remember their original shape

Metals like nitinol (a nickel-titanium alloy) have something called "shape memory". This means they can be bent or stretched, but return to their original shape when heated. This amazing property is used in medical devices like stents and braces.

Fun fact 5: Sodium is a metal that explodes in water

Sodium is a soft, silvery metal that you’d never expect to be dangerous. But drop it into water, and it reacts violently, creating heat, hydrogen gas, and often an explosion. That’s why sodium is stored in oil in the lab to prevent accidents. Not bad for something that’s part of your table salt!

Fun fact 6: Some metals are magnetic, but most are not

Iron, nickel, and cobalt are the only naturally magnetic metals. That’s why magnets stick to your fridge (which has iron or steel parts), but not to your aluminium drink can. Many students assume all metals are magnetic, but this common misconception gets cleared up quickly during secondary science tuition, where hands-on experiments make the difference.

Fun fact 7: The colour of metals isn’t always silver or grey

When you think of metals, silver or grey probably comes to mind. But did you know that copper is reddish-orange and gold is yellow? These unique colours come from the way the electrons in the metals absorb and reflect light differently.

Fun fact 8: You can find metals in your body

That’s right, your body contains trace amounts of metals. Iron helps carry oxygen in your blood, zinc supports your immune system, and magnesium is essential for muscle function. Even though these metals are in tiny amounts, they play huge roles in keeping you healthy.

Fun fact 9: Some metals are so reactive, they catch fire in air

Metals like potassium and rubidium are extremely reactive and can burst into flames when exposed to air. This makes them dangerous to store and handle, which is why they’re usually kept in special containers. These elements are often highlighted when learning about reactivity in the periodic table.

Fun fact 10: Metal alloys are stronger than pure metals

An alloy is a mixture of metals or a metal with another element. Steel, for example, is made by combining iron with carbon. This gives it more strength and resistance to rust. Learning this is often tied to a fact about the physical properties of matter, as alloys often behave differently from the pure metals they contain.

Conclusion

Metals aren’t just part of boring charts or memorised equations. Instead, they’re full of surprises, and they play a huge role in everyday life. Once you start to see how they behave in strange and fascinating ways, the topic becomes a lot more fun to learn.

At Heuristics Science, we bring topics like metals to life with our primary and secondary science tuition in Singapore. Using our unique TCR Answering Technique, guided practice sessions, and hands-on practical applications, we help students understand science in ways that actually make sense and are even enjoyable. Ready to see how science can click for you? Let's learn together!