Which is the most malleable metal?

Question

Which is the most malleable metal?

1. A. Gold (Correct answer)
2. B. Copper
3. C. Silver
4. D. Aluminum

Correct Answer

Option A — Gold

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Gold.

Key Points

• Gold is the most malleable metal — it can be beaten into extremely thin sheets (gold leaf).
• One gram of gold can be beaten into a sheet of 1 square metre.

Additional Information

• Malleability is the ability to be hammered into thin sheets; ductility is the ability to be drawn into wire. Gold leads on both counts, with silver next.
• A single gram of gold can be beaten into a sheet of roughly a square metre, and gold leaf can be under 0.1 micrometre thick.
• Gold is also highly unreactive, which is why it occurs native and does not tarnish — dissolving only in aqua regia.
• Other metal superlatives: mercury is the only liquid metal at room temperature, tungsten has the highest melting point, and lithium is the lightest.