Which statement describes metals?

• A. Dull, poor conductors and brittle
• B. Shiny, good conductors and malleable
• C. Located along the stair step line
• D. Found on the right side of the periodic table

Answer: (B)

Metals have several defining properties: they are shiny in appearance (lustrous), they conduct heat and electricity well, and they are malleable, meaning they can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. These traits come from how metal atoms bond and allow electrons to move freely, which enables energy to move easily through the material. The statement that describes metals best is the one that notes they are shiny, good conductors, and malleable. In contrast, dull, poor conductors and brittle describe nonmetals; being located along the stair-step line points to metalloids with mixed properties; and being found on the right side of the periodic table describes nonmetals.