Metals A table with an array of samples and materials is arranged near the speaker for reference during the lecture. A chart with the printed names of some common metals is displayed. The lustre of clean pieces of silver, mercury, lead, gold, and steel is displayed. They are placed near a piece of stone for comparison. The opacity of metal is shown using a sheet of tin, tin foil, and the even thinner gold leaf.
Copper wire is used as an example, also.
Brittleness Very fine wire of the type manufactured by Wollaston is exhibited. The reaction of samples of antimony, bismuth, zinc, and lead to hammer blows illustrates brittleness. The strength of inch square iron rods that support a bridge is shown. Conducting Power Metal, wooden, and paper rods are placed in very hot and very cold water to show conductivity. They are compared with samples of mercury and marble.