1. “Does a connection or relationship exist between the reactivity of a metal and when it was discovered?” BY: Youssef Rashad 8B

2. BACKROUND INFORMATION (THINGS I ALREADY KNOW)

3. PERIODIC TABLE More than half the elements on the periodic table are metals. The first three metals to be discovered were gold, copper and silver.

4. Before the 19th century only 24 of these metals had been discovered and, of these 24 metals, 12 were discovered in the 18th century. Therefore, from the discovery of the first metals - gold and copper until the end of the 17th century, some 7700 years, only 12 metals were known. Four of these metals, arsenic, antimony , zinc and bismuth , were discovered in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, while platinum was discovered in the 16th century. The other seven metals, known as the Metals of Antiquity, were the metals upon which civilisation was based. These seven metals were: (1) Gold (ca) 6000BC (2) Copper,(ca) 4200BC (3) Silver,(ca) 4000BC (4) Lead, (ca) 3500BC (5) Tin, (ca) 1750BC (6) Iron,smelted, (ca) 1500BC (7) Mercury, (ca) 750BC

5. As you can see the least reactive metals were the first to be discovered Most Reactive Metals Least Reactive Metals

6. THE METALS AND WHEN THEY WERE DISCOVERED

7. GOLD ( FIRST METAL TO BE DISCOVERED )

8. Gold was the first to be discovered (6000 BC ) Gold is not reactive therefore it is placed at the bottom of the alkali metals.

9. FACTS ABOUT GOLD Gold, like no other metal, has a fascinating history and a special place in the world. For thousands of years it has been used as an ornament of kings, a currency and standard for global currencies, and more recently, in a wide range of electronic devices and medical applications. Gold's many unique properties have secured it a central role in history and human development. Gold is a remarkable, rare metal, with an unparalleled combination of chemical and physical properties. It is the only yellow metal and bears its name from the Old English word for yellow, 'geolu'. It is also the only metal that forms no oxide film on it's surface in air at normal temperatures, meaning that it will never rust or tarnish.

10. Symbol: Au Atomic number: 79 Atomic mass: 196.96655 amu Number of protons/electrons: 79 Number of neutrons: 118 Melting point: 1,064.43°C (1,337.58°K, 1,947.97°F) Boiling point: 2,807.0°C (3,80.15°K, 5,084.6°F) Density @ 293°K: 19.32 grams per cubic centimeter Crystal structure: cubic oxidation states: +1, +3

11. Atomic Structure ( Gold )

12. COPPER( SECOND METAL TO BE DISCOVERED)

13. Copper was discovered second after gold ( 4200 BC ). Copper is also placed at the bottom of the alkali metals because it is not very reactive.

14. FACTS ABOUT COPPER What are the origins of the word Copper ? The name originates from the Latin word cyprium, after the island of Cyprus. Copper was associated with the goddess named Aphrodite / Venus in Greek and Roman mythology. The island of Cyprus was sacred to the goddess. In alchemy, the symbol for copper was also the symbol for the planet Venus. In Greek times, the metal was known by the name Chalkos. In Roman times, it became known as Cyprium because so much of it was mined in Cyprus. The Element Copper is defined as... A ductile, malleable, reddish-brown metallic element that is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and is widely used for electrical wiring, water piping, and corrosion-resistant parts, either pure or in alloys such as brass and bronze. The most common uses of Copper are in Copper sulfate, Hammered copper, Tubing, pipes - Plumbing, Wire, Electromagnets, Statues, Watt's steam engine, Vacuum tubes, Musical instruments, Component of coins, Cookware and Cutlery.

15. Name: Copper Symbol: Cu Atomic Number: 29 Atomic Mass: 63.546 amu Melting Point: 1083.0 °C (1356.15 K, 1981.4 °F) Boiling Point: 2567.0 °C (2840.15 K, 4652.6 °F) Number of Protons/Electrons: 29 Number of Neutrons: 35

16. ATOMIC STRUCTURE (COPPER)

17. Conclusion From the information I found. The more the metal was reactive the more it would be expected to be found last. This is because it would be very hard taking it from the ores and it would need additional effort. As the reactivity of the metal increases the harder it is for mankind. As the years move on the more experience people have which is why people discover more reactive metals.

18. Bibliography "Alkaline-earth Metal: Definition from Answers.com." Review. Web log post. Answers.com: Wiki Q&A Combined with Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Encyclopedias. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://www.answers.com/topic/alkaline-earth-metal>. Facts about Gold." Gold Jewelry. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://gold.yabz.com/facts.htm>. "Copper Facts." Northwest Mining Association. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nwma.org/education/copper_facts.htm>