What is meant by saying that metals are lustrous?
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The way light intermingles with the exterior of a rock, crystal, or mineral is called luster. This word generally indicates the radiance and gloss. Many terms are used to describe this luster such as silky, greasy and metallic. Metals are glossy/shinny because of the presence of free electrons, when the electrons move freely in the metal they result in to some light reflection because of which the metal appear shiny and we call such metal, lustrous metal.
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Metals are lustrous in view of the free electrons they have. The free electrons can move openly in the metal making any light event on them get reflected back. This reflection is specular reflection instead of diffused and subsequently, the metal surface seems gleaming or lustrous.
As the metal surface (more dynamic metal like iron) interacts with the earth it frames oxides which limit the versatility of the free electrons. Hence rather than specular reflection we have diffused reflection and the surface of metal seems dull. Be that as it may, on account of respectable metals (like gold) the oxides may not shape effortlessly, in this way they seem lustrous for quite a while.
As the metal surface (more dynamic metal like iron) interacts with the earth it frames oxides which limit the versatility of the free electrons. Hence rather than specular reflection we have diffused reflection and the surface of metal seems dull. Be that as it may, on account of respectable metals (like gold) the oxides may not shape effortlessly, in this way they seem lustrous for quite a while.
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