Yashwant and Anandi are two students from a village in Rajasthan who got a interesting school project. They had to go out and meet real people who make things from metals.
So they decided to visit local ironsmiths with their grandfather. Their grandfather was quite helpful because he knew many craftsmen in the village. During their visit, they met Sudarshan, an elderly ironsmith who has been working with metals for many years. Sudarshan showed them how he makes daily-use items that people need in their homes and farms.
What was really interesting was seeing how Sudarshan uses iron to craft different items. He makes flat pans for cooking, buckets for carrying water, tongs for handling hot things, and even farming tools that help farmers in their work. But iron alone is not enough – he also uses wood for making handles of tools, and coal to heat the iron in furnaces. This visit opened their eyes to the world of metals and how imp they are in our daily life.
Properties of Materials
When we study about different materials around us, we notice that they behave differently when we do certain things to them. Some materials can be beaten into thin sheets, some can be made into wires, some make sounds when hit, and some conduct heat or electricity. Let’s study these properties one by one.
Malleability
Malleability is a very imp property that tells us whether a material can be beaten into thin sheets or not. This is quite useful when we want to make flat things from materials.
What happens with metals:
- Metals like copper, aluminium, and iron are malleable
- When you hammer them, they flatten and become thin sheets
- They don’t break or crack when beaten
- Gold and silver are the most malleable metals you can find
- Gold can be beaten into sheets so thin that you can almost see through them
- Silver foil is used on sweets like barfi and peda
- Aluminium foil is used for wrapping food items to keep them fresh
What happens with non-metals:
- Non-metals like coal and sulphur are brittle
- When you try to hammer them, they break into small pieces
- They cannot be made into sheets no matter how hard you try
- Wood is a bit different – it’s neither malleable nor brittle
- Wood doesn’t flatten when hammered, but it also doesn’t break easily like coal
This property of malleability is why we can make utensils from metals but not from coal or sulphur.
Ductility
Ductility is another imp property that tells us whether a material can be drawn into wires or not. This property is very useful when we need to make long, thin wires from materials.
Metals and ductility:
- Metals like copper and aluminium are ductile
- This means they can be pulled and stretched into long, thin wires
- Copper wires are used in electrical wiring in our homes
- Aluminium wires are also used for electrical purposes
- Gold is highly ductile – just one gram of gold can be made into a wire that is 2 kilometers long!
- Metal wires are used in making ornaments and jewelry
- Musical instruments like sitar and violin use metal wires to produce sound
- Steel wires are made from iron and carbon and are very strong
- These steel wires can support heavy loads in bridges and cranes
Non-metals and ductility:
- Non-metals like coal and sulphur are not ductile at all
- You cannot make wires from them no matter what you do
- They will just break if you try to pull them
This is why all the wires we see around us are made from metals, not from non-metals.
Sonority
Sonority is the property of materials to produce a ringing sound when struck. Some materials make beautiful sounds when hit, while others make dull sounds.
Metals are sonorous:
- When you hit metals like iron and copper, they produce a clear ringing sound
- This ringing sound continues for some time after hitting
- School bells are made from metals because of this sonorous property
- Ghungroos used in classical dance are also made from metals
- The beautiful sound they make is due to sonority
- This property helps us identify metals easily
Non-metals are not sonorous:
- When you hit non-metals like coal and wood, they produce dull sounds
- These sounds don’t ring and stop immediately
- There’s no musical quality in these sounds
- This difference in sound helps us distinguish metals from non-metals
This property of sonority is why most musical instruments use metals for producing sound.
Conduction of Heat
Conduction is the transfer of heat through a material from one point to another. Some materials are good at conducting heat, while others are poor conductors.
Metals are good heat conductors:
- Metals like aluminium and copper conduct heat very well
- When you heat one end of a metal rod, the other end also becomes hot quickly
- This is why metal vessels are used for cooking food
- The heat from the stove easily passes through the metal to cook the food inside
- Aluminium and steel utensils are popular because they conduct heat efficiently
- Good heat conduction ensures that food cooks evenly and quickly
Non-metals are poor heat conductors:
- Non-metals like wood are poor conductors of heat
- When you heat one end of a wooden stick, the other end remains cool
- This is why handles of cooking vessels are made of wood
- Wood handles prevent heat from reaching our hands
- Plastic is also a poor conductor, so some utensil handles are made of plastic too
This difference in heat conduction is very imp for making cooking utensils safe and efficient.
Conduction of Electricity
Materials that allow electricity to flow easily through them are called good conductors of electricity. This property is very imp for electrical work.
Metals conduct electricity well:
- Metals like aluminium, iron, and copper are excellent conductors of electricity
- Copper is especially good, which is why most electrical wires are made of copper
- When electricity flows through metal wires, it faces very little resistance
- This is why all the electrical circuits in our homes use metal wires
- Without good conducting metals, we couldn’t have electrical appliances
Non-metals are poor electrical conductors:
- Non-metals like sulphur, coal, and wood don’t conduct electricity well
- They resist the flow of electricity through them
- Plastic and rubber are also poor conductors
- This property is actually useful for safety purposes
- Screwdriver handles are made of plastic to protect electricians
- Electricians wear rubber gloves to avoid electric shocks
- These poor conductors act as insulators and keep us safe
| Property | Metals | Non-metals |
|---|---|---|
| Malleability | Can be beaten into thin sheets | Break into pieces when hammered |
| Ductility | Can be drawn into wires | Cannot form wires |
| Sonority | Produce ringing sounds | Produce dull sounds |
| Heat Conduction | Good conductors | Poor conductors |
| Electrical Conduction | Good conductors | Poor conductors |
Effect of Air and Water on Metals: Iron
Iron is a very common metal that we use in many things, but it has one big problem – it gets damaged when exposed to air and water together.
What is rusting:
- When iron is kept in contact with moist air, it develops brown deposits
- These brown deposits are called rust
- Rusting happens only when iron touches both air and water at the same time
- If there’s only dry air or only water, rusting doesn’t happen
- Both air and water are needed together for rust to form
How rusting affects iron:
- Rust makes iron weak and brittle
- Rusted iron can break easily and becomes useless
- This is a form of corrosion, which means gradual damage to metal surfaces
- Rusting causes huge economic losses because rusted items need to be repaired or replaced
- Cars, bridges, and buildings made of iron get damaged due to rusting
Rusting in other metals:
- Corrosion doesn’t happen only to iron
- Copper develops a green coating when exposed to air and moisture
- Silver develops a black coating over time
- These are also forms of corrosion, similar to rusting in iron
How to prevent rusting:
- Painting iron surfaces creates a barrier between iron and air/water
- Oiling iron tools prevents moisture from reaching the metal
- Greasing is another way to protect iron from air and water
- Galvanisation is a process where zinc coating is put on iron
- All these methods work by preventing air and water from touching iron directly
Effect of Air and Water on Other Metals
Different metals react differently when they come in contact with air and water. Let’s study how some other metals behave.
Magnesium and air:
- Magnesium is a metal that reacts with oxygen present in air
- When magnesium burns in air, it forms magnesium oxide
- Magnesium oxide appears as a white powder
- This magnesium oxide is basic in nature
- You can test this by putting it on red litmus paper – it turns the paper blue
- This blue color shows that magnesium oxide is basic
Sodium and air/water:
- Sodium is a very reactive metal
- It reacts very vigorously with oxygen in air
- When sodium comes in contact with water, it reacts so strongly that it produces heat
- This reaction is so violent that sodium can even catch fire
- Because of this dangerous reaction, sodium is always stored in kerosene
- Kerosene prevents sodium from coming in contact with air and moisture
- Like other metals, sodium also forms basic oxides when it reacts with oxygen
General behavior of metals:
- Most metal oxides are basic in nature
- This means they turn red litmus paper blue
- This is a common property that helps identify metal oxides
- Metal oxides generally don’t dissolve well in water
Substances that Behave Differently from Metals in Air and Water
While metals show certain patterns when they react with air and water, non-metals behave quite differently. Let’s study how non-metals react.
Sulphur and air:
- Sulphur is a non-metal that burns in air
- When sulphur burns, it forms sulphur dioxide gas
- This gas has a strong, unpleasant smell
- Sulphur dioxide dissolves easily in water
- When it dissolves in water, it forms sulphurous acid
- Sulphurous acid is acidic in nature
- You can test this with blue litmus paper – it turns red
- This red color shows that the solution is acidic
Sulphur and water:
- Unlike some metals, sulphur doesn’t react with water directly
- It remains unchanged when put in water
- Only when sulphur dioxide (formed by burning sulphur) dissolves in water, does it form acid
Phosphorus and air:
- Phosphorus is another non-metal that reacts with air
- It catches fire very easily when exposed to air
- Because of this dangerous property, phosphorus is stored under water
- Water prevents phosphorus from coming in contact with air
General properties of non-metals:
- Non-metals are usually soft and can be easily broken
- They have a dull appearance, not shiny like metals
- They are not malleable – they break when hammered
- They are not ductile – they cannot be made into wires
- They are not sonorous – they don’t make ringing sounds when hit
- They are poor conductors of heat and electricity
- Most imp difference: non-metal oxides are acidic, not basic like metal oxides
About elements:
- Both metals and non-metals are called elements
- Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
- Scientists have discovered 118 different elements so far
- Some elements occur naturally on Earth
- Some elements are made artificially in laboratories
| Aspect | Metals | Non-metals |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction with air | Form basic oxides | Form acidic oxides |
| Oxide nature | Turn red litmus blue | Turn blue litmus red |
| Reaction with water | Some react vigorously | Most don’t react |
| Storage requirements | Some need special storage (like sodium) | Some need special storage (like phosphorus) |
Are Non-metals Essential in Everyday Life?
Even though metals get a lot of attention because of their useful properties, non-metals are equally imp in our daily life. In fact, life would be impossible without non-metals.
Oxygen – the life supporter:
- Oxygen is a non-metal that is absolutely essential for all living things
- We breathe oxygen to stay alive
- All animals need oxygen for respiration
- Without oxygen, we cannot survive even for a few minutes
- Plants also need oxygen, though they produce it during photosynthesis
Carbon – the building block of life:
- Carbon is another very imp non-metal
- It is present in all living things
- Proteins in our body contain carbon
- Fats and oils contain carbon
- Carbohydrates like rice, wheat, and sugar contain carbon
- Without carbon, life as we know it would not exist
Nitrogen for plant growth:
- Nitrogen is a non-metal that plants need to grow healthy
- Farmers use fertilizers that contain nitrogen compounds
- These fertilizers help crops grow better and produce more food
- Without nitrogen, plants become weak and don’t grow properly
- This would lead to food shortage for humans and animals
Chlorine for water purification:
- Chlorine is a non-metal used to make water safe for drinking
- It kills harmful bacteria and germs in water
- Most water treatment plants use chlorine to purify water
- Without chlorine, many people would get sick from drinking dirty water
Iodine as antiseptic:
- Iodine is a non-metal used in medicine
- It is applied on wounds to prevent infection
- Iodine kills germs and helps wounds heal faster
- It’s commonly found in first aid kits
How non-metals complement metals:
- While metals are good for making tools and utensils, non-metals are essential for life processes
- Industries use both metals and non-metals to make products
- Many products need both metals and non-metals to work properly
- For example, electrical appliances use metal wires for conduction and plastic (made from non-metals) for insulation
In a Nutshell
After studying metals and non-metals, we can see clear differences between them:
Metals have these properties:
- They are lustrous (shiny and bright)
- They are malleable (can be beaten into sheets)
- They are ductile (can be drawn into wires)
- They are good conductors of heat and electricity
- They produce ringing sounds when struck (sonorous)
- They form basic oxides when they react with oxygen
Non-metals have these properties:
- They are non-lustrous (dull appearance)
- They are brittle (break when hammered)
- They are non-ductile (cannot form wires)
- They are poor conductors of heat and electricity
- They don’t produce ringing sounds when hit
- They form acidic oxides when they react with oxygen
Reactions with air and water:
- Iron rusts when exposed to moist air, which is a form of corrosion
- Many metals get damaged due to corrosion over time
- Non-metals like sulphur don’t react with water but form acidic oxides with air
- Different metals and non-metals have different levels of reactivity
Importance in daily life:
- Both metals and non-metals are essential elements
- They have wide applications in different areas of life
- Metals are used for making tools, utensils, and technology
- Non-metals are essential for life processes like breathing and growth
- Modern life needs both metals and non-metals to function properly
Questions and Answers
1. Which metal is commonly used to make food packaging materials as it is cheaper, and its thin sheets can be folded easily into any shape?
Let’s think about what properties we need for food packaging. We need a metal that is cheap, can be made into thin sheets, and can be folded easily.
- Aluminium is very malleable, which means it can be beaten into thin sheets
- These thin sheets can be folded into any shape we want
- Aluminium is much cheaper than gold and silver
- It’s more suitable than copper or iron for packaging food
- Aluminium foil is used everywhere for wrapping food items
- It keeps food fresh and is easy to use
Answer: (i) Aluminium
2. Which of the following metal catches fire when it comes in contact with water?
This question is about the reactivity of metals with water. Let’s see which metals react with water:
- Sodium reacts very vigorously with water
- This reaction produces so much heat that sodium can catch fire
- The reaction is so dangerous that sodium must be stored in kerosene
- Copper, aluminium, and zinc don’t react with water in this violent way
- They might react slowly or not at all, but they don’t catch fire
Answer: (iv) Sodium
3. State with reasons whether the following statements are True [T] or False [F].
(i) Aluminium and copper are examples of non-metals used for making utensils and statues.
This statement is wrong because:
- Aluminium and copper are metals, not non-metals
- Metals are used for making utensils because they conduct heat well
- Metals are used for statues because they are malleable and have lustre
- Non-metals like coal or sulphur cannot be used for making utensils or statues
Answer: False
(ii) Metals form oxides when combined with oxygen, the solution of which turns blue litmus paper to red.
This statement is wrong because:
- Metals do form oxides when combined with oxygen – this part is correct
- But metal oxides are basic in nature, not acidic
- Basic solutions turn red litmus paper blue, not blue litmus paper red
- It’s non-metal oxides that are acidic and turn blue litmus paper red
Answer: False
(iii) Oxygen is a non-metal essential for respiration.
This statement is correct because:
- Oxygen is indeed a non-metal
- All living organisms need oxygen for breathing
- Without oxygen, we cannot survive
- Respiration process requires oxygen to work
Answer: True
(iv) Copper vessels are used for boiling water because they are good conductors of electricity.
This statement is wrong because:
- Copper vessels are used for boiling water, but not because of electrical conduction
- They are used because copper is a good conductor of heat
- Heat conduction is what makes copper vessels efficient for boiling water
- Electrical conduction is not relevant for cooking purposes
Answer: False
4. Why are only a few metals suitable for making jewellery?
Making jewellery requires metals with very specific properties. Not all metals have these properties:
What jewellery needs:
- The metal should be highly malleable so it can be shaped into intricate designs
- It should be ductile so it can be made into thin wires for delicate work
- It should have lustre to look beautiful and attractive
- It should not get damaged easily over time
Why gold and silver are perfect:
- Gold and silver are the most malleable and ductile metals
- They can be shaped into very fine and detailed designs
- They have natural lustre that makes them shine beautifully
- They don’t rust or corrode like iron, so they maintain their shine for years
- They are soft enough to work with but strong enough for regular use
Why other metals don’t work:
- Iron rusts and loses its appearance over time
- Sodium is too reactive and dangerous to handle
- Copper can develop green coating and loses its shine
- Aluminium is too soft and gets scratched easily
Answer: Only a few metals like gold and silver are suitable for jewellery because they have high malleability, ductility, lustre, and corrosion resistance, which allows making intricate, durable, and attractive designs.
5. Match the uses of metals and non-metals given in Column I with the jumbled names of metals and non-metals given in Column II.
First, let’s unscramble the names in Column II:
- (a) ENXYGO → OXYGEN
- (b) NECOHIRL → CHLORINE
- (c) PEPORC → COPPER
- (d) TENGOINR → NITROGEN
- (e) O G D L → GOLD
Now let’s match them with their uses:
(i) Used in electrical wiring: This needs a metal that conducts electricity very well. Copper is excellent for conducting electricity, so electrical wires are made of copper. Answer: (c) COPPER
(ii) Most malleable and ductile: Among all metals, gold can be beaten into the thinnest sheets and drawn into the longest wires. Gold is the most malleable and ductile metal. Answer: (e) GOLD
(iii) Living organisms cannot survive without it: All living things need oxygen for breathing and respiration. Without oxygen, life is impossible. Answer: (a) OXYGEN
(iv) Plants grow healthy with fertilisers containing it: Plants need nitrogen for healthy growth. Farmers use nitrogen-containing fertilisers to help crops grow better. Answer: (d) NITROGEN
(v) Used in water purification: Chlorine is used to kill germs and bacteria in water, making it safe for drinking. Answer: (b) CHLORINE
6. What happens when oxygen reacts with magnesium and sulfur? What are the main differences in the nature of products formed?
When Magnesium reacts with Oxygen:
- Magnesium burns in air with a bright white light
- It forms magnesium oxide, which appears as a white powder
- Magnesium oxide is basic in nature
- When you test it with red litmus paper, it turns the paper blue
- This shows that magnesium oxide is basic
When Sulphur reacts with Oxygen:
- Sulphur burns in air to form sulphur dioxide gas
- This gas has a strong, choking smell
- Sulphur dioxide dissolves in water to form sulphurous acid
- This acid is acidic in nature
- When you test it with blue litmus paper, it turns the paper red
Main differences between the products:
| Aspect | Magnesium Oxide | Sulphur Dioxide |
|---|---|---|
| Physical state | Solid powder | Gas |
| Nature | Basic | Forms acidic solution |
| Litmus test | Turns red litmus blue | Turns blue litmus red |
| Water solubility | Limited | Dissolves easily |
| Requirement for showing nature | Shows basic nature directly | Needs water to form acid |
Answer: Magnesium forms basic magnesium oxide which is a solid, while sulphur forms sulphur dioxide gas which becomes acidic sulphurous acid when dissolved in water. Metal oxides are basic solids, while non-metal oxides are acidic and often gaseous.
7. Complete the following flow chart:
A typical flow chart comparing metals and non-metals would include:
METALS:
- Lustre: Shiny and bright appearance
- Malleability: Can be beaten into thin sheets
- Ductility: Can be drawn into wires
- Heat Conduction: Good conductors of heat
- Electrical Conduction: Good conductors of electricity
- Sonority: Produce ringing sounds when struck
- Oxide Nature: Form basic oxides that turn red litmus blue
NON-METALS:
- Lustre: Dull appearance, not shiny
- Malleability: Brittle, break when hammered
- Ductility: Non-ductile, cannot form wires
- Heat Conduction: Poor conductors of heat
- Electrical Conduction: Poor conductors of electricity
- Sonority: Don’t produce ringing sounds
- Oxide Nature: Form acidic oxides that turn blue litmus red
Answer: Metals are lustrous, malleable, ductile, good conductors of heat and electricity, sonorous, and form basic oxides. Non-metals are non-lustrous, brittle, non-ductile, poor conductors of heat and electricity, non-sonorous, and form acidic oxides.
8. You are provided with the following materials. Discuss which material would be your choice to make a pan that is most suitable for boiling water and why?
Given materials: Iron, copper, sulphur, coal, plastic, wood, cardboard
Let’s analyze each material:
Suitable materials:
- Copper: This is an excellent choice because it conducts heat very well, can be shaped into pans (malleable), and is durable
- Iron: This is also good as it conducts heat and is strong, but it can rust if not protected properly
Unsuitable materials:
- Sulphur: This is brittle and breaks easily, conducts heat poorly, and can react to form harmful compounds
- Coal: This is brittle, doesn’t conduct heat, and cannot be shaped into pans
- Plastic: This melts when heated and conducts heat very poorly
- Wood: This burns or gets charred when heated and conducts heat poorly
- Cardboard: This catches fire easily and gets destroyed when it comes in contact with water
Best choice: Copper
Why copper is the best choice:
- It conducts heat very efficiently, so water will boil quickly
- It is malleable, so it can be easily shaped into a pan
- It doesn’t rust like iron does
- It is durable and lasts for a long time
- It heats evenly, so there are no hot spots that might burn food
Answer: Copper is the best material for making a pan to boil water because of its excellent heat conduction, malleability for shaping, and resistance to corrosion.
9. You are provided with three iron nails, each dipped in oil, water, and vinegar. Which iron nail will not rust, and why?
To understand this, we need to remember what causes rusting:
- Rusting needs both air (oxygen) and water to happen
- If either air or water is missing, rusting won’t occur
Let’s see what happens to each nail:
Nail dipped in oil:
- Oil creates a protective layer around the iron nail
- This layer prevents both air and water from reaching the iron surface
- Without contact with air and water, rusting cannot happen
- The nail will remain protected from rust
Nail dipped in water:
- Water is present, but air contact is limited
- Some rusting might happen slowly at the water surface where air meets water
- But rusting will be much slower compared to normal conditions
Nail dipped in vinegar:
- Vinegar is acidic in nature
- Acids actually speed up the rusting process
- The nail will rust faster than normal because acid helps the reaction
- This nail will show the most rust
Answer: The iron nail dipped in oil will not rust because oil forms a protective barrier that prevents both air and water from coming in contact with the iron, and both air and water are essential for rusting to occur.
10. How do the different properties of metals and non-metals determine their uses in everyday life?
The properties of materials directly decide how we can use them. Let’s see how each property affects the uses:
Uses based on metal properties:
Malleability and Ductility:
- Aluminium can be beaten into thin sheets, so it’s used for making foils and utensils
- Copper can be drawn into wires, so it’s used for electrical wiring
- Gold is very malleable and ductile, so it’s perfect for making jewelry
- Iron can be shaped, so it’s used for making tools and car parts
Conductivity:
- Copper conducts electricity well, so electrical wires are made from it
- Aluminium and iron conduct heat well, so cooking vessels are made from them
- Steel (iron + carbon) is used in construction because it’s strong and conducts heat
Lustre:
- Gold and silver shine naturally, making them perfect for jewelry and decorative items
- The shiny appearance makes metal objects look attractive
Strength:
- Iron and steel are strong, so they’re used in construction of buildings and bridges
- Tools like hammers and axes are made from metals because they’re strong
Uses based on non-metal properties:
Non-conductivity:
- Plastic doesn’t conduct electricity, so it’s used for insulation in electrical devices
- Rubber doesn’t conduct electricity, so electricians wear rubber gloves for safety
- Wood doesn’t conduct heat well, so utensil handles are made from wood
Chemical properties:
- Oxygen supports life, so it’s essential for all living organisms
- Nitrogen helps plants grow, so it’s used in fertilizers
- Chlorine kills germs, so it’s used for water purification
Special properties:
- Iodine has antiseptic properties, so it’s used for treating wounds
- Carbon forms the basis of all organic compounds in living things
Answer: Metals’ malleability, ductility, conductivity, lustre, and strength make them suitable for utensils, wires, jewelry, and construction. Non-metals’ non-conductivity, chemical properties, and biological roles make them essential for insulation, respiration, fertilizers, purification, and life processes.
11. One of the methods of protecting iron from getting rusted is to put a thin coating of zinc metal over it. Since sulfur does not react with water, can it be used for this purpose? Justify your answer.
This is a very good question about rust prevention. Let’s understand why zinc works and whether sulphur can replace it.
How zinc coating (galvanisation) works:
- Zinc forms a protective layer over iron
- This layer acts as a barrier between iron and air/water
- Even if the zinc layer gets scratched, zinc reacts with air instead of iron
- Zinc sacrifices itself to protect iron from rusting
- Zinc is also a metal, so it sticks well to iron
Why sulphur cannot be used:
Physical problems with sulphur:
- Sulphur is brittle and breaks easily
- It cannot form a strong, durable coating like zinc
- Any coating of sulphur would crack and fall off quickly
- Brittle materials don’t make good protective coatings
Chemical problems with sulphur:
- Sulphur is a non-metal, not a metal like zinc
- It doesn’t have the same protective electrochemical properties as zinc
- When sulphur reacts with air, it forms sulphur dioxide
- Sulphur dioxide forms acidic solutions that can actually harm iron
- Acids speed up rusting rather than preventing it
Adhesion problems:
- Metals stick better to other metals
- Sulphur, being a non-metal, won’t adhere properly to iron
- The coating would not be uniform or long-lasting
Answer: Sulphur cannot replace zinc for protecting iron from rusting because it is brittle and cannot form durable coatings, lacks the protective electrochemical properties of metals, and may form harmful acidic compounds that could actually increase rusting, unlike the protective zinc coating.
12. An ironsmith heats iron before making tools. Why is heating necessary in this process?
When an ironsmith makes tools, he always heats the iron first. This is not just a tradition – there are scientific reasons for this.
What happens when iron is heated:
- Iron becomes much softer when heated to high temperatures
- The high temperature makes iron more malleable
- Hot iron can be easily shaped and molded
- The metal becomes flexible and responds to hammering
Why heating is necessary:
- Cold iron is very hard and difficult to shape
- If you try to hammer cold iron, it won’t change shape easily
- You might even break your hammer trying to shape cold iron
- Cold iron is too rigid to make into complex tool shapes
What the ironsmith can do with hot iron:
- Shape it into different tool forms like axes, sickles, and knives
- Bend it into required angles and curves
- Make holes and grooves as needed
- Create the fine details that make tools effective
The process:
- The ironsmith heats iron in a furnace using coal or other fuel
- When iron becomes red hot, it’s ready for shaping
- He then uses hammers and other tools to give it the desired shape
- After shaping, the iron is allowed to cool down, becoming hard again
Answer: Heating is necessary because it makes iron soft and malleable, allowing the ironsmith to easily shape it into tools through hammering. Cold iron is too hard and rigid to be shaped effectively.
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