What metals appear naturally in the earth

Nature

Metals are all around us, and we use them in many of our everyday items. From elements in the computers we work on to the copper pipe connectors like the ones from //watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems/ that hold our plumbing pipes together, metals are all around us. One of the biggest developments in human evolution was the ability to use metals to craft items. It led to the creation of weapons, jewellery and machinery. Over time we have discovered more metals that appear on our planet in a natural form, as well as finding ways to create new metals. Alloys, for example, are human creations. They are the result of combining one or more metals or a through combining a metal and a non-metal to create a new substance.

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Here are some of the metals that can be found naturally on the planet.

Cobalt – this is a brittle metal much like iron, and it is found naturally in meteorites. It has a distinctive blue colour that can be transferred over into pigments and glass.

Gold – as one of our precious metals, gold can be found in the metamorphic rock layers, which is why it needs to be mined. It is a metal that has been incredibly important throughout history and has been used in many different ways, such as in currency and in jewellery and decorative pieces.

Iron Ore – this is used in the construction of everything from the buildings that we live and work in right through to the cars and other vehicles that we drive.

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Lead – this metal was used a lot in the past, but after discovering that lead can actually cause poisoning in humans, we have massively reduced its use. It is no longer used to create plumbing pipes or for use in paint or pencils.

Nickel – a common metal that is used in cutlery and utensils and also in jewellery, and in the creation of metal alloys.

Silver – another precious metal. Silver is used in jewellery and also in the creation of medical equipment. This is due to the fact that the metal has natural anti-microbial properties.

Titanium – is one of the toughest metals to be found naturally on earth, and it is also found in the largest amounts. It is used in the construction of many items, including the plates that are used in hip replacement surgeries.

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