Almost 80 percent of all elements are metals. They can be distinguished from other elements because when cut, they reflect light and appear shiny. Metals also conduct heat and electricity. Most metals are malleable, which means that they can be beaten or moulded into different shapes.
Most metals react with oxygen in the air, or with other kinds of elements, to form compounds. They are rarely found in the natural metallic state. However, gold is an exception, because it does not react easily with other elements and is often found in its natural state as grains or nuggets. Mixtures of metals are called alloys.
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