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Malleability

Malleability is the property of a metal by which it can be beaten or rolled into thin sheets without breaking.

In one line: Sheet means malleability; wire means ductility.

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Understand it

Malleability is a common property of many metals because their layers can slide over one another when force is applied. This is why metals such as aluminium and gold can be made into sheets. Non-metals usually do not show this property because they tend to break or crumble when pressed.

Example

Aluminium foil is made by rolling aluminium into a very thin sheet.

Rule to remember

Rule: metals that can be beaten into sheets are called malleable; this is a physical property, not a chemical change.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

  1. 1If a jeweller makes a thin gold leaf from a gold piece by pressing and hammering, the gold is being used for its malleability.
  2. 2The metal changes shape, but it remains the same substance.

Method you can reuse

  1. 1Read the action carefully.
  2. 2Check whether the metal is being turned into a sheet.
  3. 3If yes, write malleability.
  4. 4Add one example if the question asks for it.

Visual tip

A simple sketch can show a metal block being hammered into a sheet to remember the idea quickly.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

A metal sheet is flattened further by hammering without cracking. Which property is shown here?

Think first, then show answer
The metal is showing malleability because it can be beaten into a thinner sheet without breaking.

Common wrong answer

Ductility is the common wrong answer because students remember both as metal properties, but ductility means drawing into wires, not sheets.

Don't mix this up

Students often confuse malleability with ductility and think both mean the same thing in every case.

Exam tip

If the object is made into a sheet, think malleability first.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

Questions usually ask which property allows a metal to become a sheet, or ask for examples such as aluminium foil and gold leaf.
  1. 1

    Enough for 1 mark

    Malleability is the property of a metal by which it can be beaten or rolled into thin sheets without breaking.

  2. 2

    Add for 2 marks

    Example: Aluminium foil is made by rolling aluminium into a very thin sheet.

  3. 3

    Add for 3 marks

    Malleability is a common property of many metals because their layers can slide over one another when force is applied.

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