Science, Tech, Math › Science Metals: List of Elements Print © Ben Mills Science Chemistry Periodic Table Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on February 03, 2020 Most elements are metals. This group includes alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, basic metals, lanthanides (rare earth elements), and actinides. Although separate on the periodic table, lanthanides and actinides are really specific types of transition metals. Here's a list of all the elements on the periodic table that are metals. Alkali Metals Alkali metals are in group IA on the far left side of the periodic table. They are highly reactive elements, distinctive because of their +1 oxidation state and generally low density compared to other metals. Because they are so reactive, these elements are found in compounds. Only hydrogen is found free in nature as a pure element, and that is as diatomic hydrogen gas. Hydrogen in its metallic state (usually considered a nonmetal)LithiumSodiumPotassiumRubidiumCesiumFrancium Read More Transition Metals: List and Properties By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Alkaline Earth Metals The alkaline earth metals are found in group IIA of the periodic table, which is the second column of elements. All of the alkaline earth metal atoms have a +2 oxidation state. Like the alkali metals, these elements are found in compounds rather than pure form. Alkaline earths are reactive but less so than alkali metals. Group IIA metals are hard and shiny and usually malleable and ductile. BerylliumMagnesiumCalciumStrontiumBariumRadium Basic Metals The basic metals display the characteristics people generally associate with the term "metal." They conduct heat and electricity, have a metallic luster, and tend to be dense, malleable, and ductile. However, some of these elements display nonmetallic characteristics. For example, one allotrope of tin behaves more as a nonmetal. While most metals are hard, lead and gallium are examples of elements that are soft. These elements tend to have lower melting and boiling points than the transition metals (with some exceptions). AluminumGalliumIndiumTinThalliumLeadBismuthNihonium: probably a basic metalFlerovium: probably a basic metalMoscovium: probably a basic metalLivermorium: probably a basic metalTennessine: in the halogen group but may behave more like a metalloid or metal Transition Metals The transition metals are characterized by having partially filled d or f electron subshells. Since the shell is incompletely filled, these elements display multiple oxidation states and often produce colored complexes. Some transition metals occur in pure or native form, including gold, copper, and silver. The lanthanides and actinides are found only in compounds in nature. ScandiumTitaniumVanadiumChromiumManganeseIronCobaltNickelCopperZincYttriumZirconiumNiobiumMolybdenumTechnetiumRutheniumRhodiumPalladiumSilverCadmiumLanthanumHafniumTantalumTungstenRheniumOsmiumIridiumPlatinumGoldMercuryActiniumRutherfordiumDubniumSeaborgiumBohriumHassiumMeitneriumDarmstadtiumRoentgeniumCoperniciumCeriumPraseodymiumNeodymiumPromethiumSamariumEuropiumGadoliniumTerbiumDysprosiumHolmiumErbiumThuliumYtterbiumLutetiumThoriumProtactiniumUraniumNeptuniumPlutoniumAmericiumCuriumBerkeliumCaliforniumEinsteiniumFermiumMendeleviumNobeliumLawrencium More About Metals In general, metals are located on the left-hand side of the periodic table, decreasing in metallic character moving up and to the right. Depending on conditions, elements belonging to the metalloid group may behave like metals. In addition, even nonmetals may be metals. For example, in certain situations, you may find metallic oxygen or metallic carbon. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Metals: List of Elements." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/metals-list-606655. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Metals: List of Elements. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/metals-list-606655 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Metals: List of Elements." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/metals-list-606655 (accessed May 3, 2024). copy citation