2040 – 01 – Defining Physical Properties

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When we talk about a metal’s physical properties, we’re referring to the way a specific metal responds to forces in its environment, like heat and electricity. Some key physical properties include a metal’s mass and weight, the point at which it melts, the point at which it bends or breaks, and whether it can conduct electricity or transmit heat.

A material’s physical properties dictate whether it’s suitable to be used in the manufacturing, forging, or electronics.

It’s imperative for workers who create and forge metals to know the melting properties of the materials they’re working with. Similarly, electricians need to understand how the materials in their trade, like insulators and conductors, work. Knowledge of the properties of metals help jobs get completed quickly and safely.