Which statement best identifies a common property of metals?

Which statement best identifies a common property of metals?

• A. Metals conduct electricity
• B. Metals are always solids
• C. Metals have no luster
• D. Metals are always gases

Answer: (A)

Metals conduct electricity. This happens because their atoms share a lattice in which many electrons are not bound to any one atom. These electrons form a free-moving "sea" that can drift when an electric field is applied, so electric charge flows easily through the metal. That free-electron behavior is a hallmark property of metals. The other statements don’t fit as common properties. Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature, so metals aren’t always solids. Metals typically have a shiny, reflective surface (luster), so “no luster” isn’t accurate. Metals aren’t gases under ordinary conditions, so “always gases” isn’t correct either.

Metals conduct electricity. This happens because their atoms share a lattice in which many electrons are not bound to any one atom. These electrons form a free-moving "sea" that can drift when an electric field is applied, so electric charge flows easily through the metal. That free-electron behavior is a hallmark property of metals.

The other statements don’t fit as common properties. Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature, so metals aren’t always solids. Metals typically have a shiny, reflective surface (luster), so “no luster” isn’t accurate. Metals aren’t gases under ordinary conditions, so “always gases” isn’t correct either.