A chemist wants to determine the best method for identifying an unknown metal.

Question

abb0t · Answer

For metals, chemists like going by colors. It is an inorganic chemists favorite way to determine them. Another method is by boiling/melting point. The boiling point and melting point of metals are known, so you can do that. 

If you have a calorimeter, you can use that to determine specific heat of your sample. Specific heat is also known for metals.

anonymous · Answer

Might the metal be an alloy, or is it a pure metal? If it is pure, color and physical properties (as stated by abb0t) are great. If it's an alloy, you may need to resort to instrumentation. Depending on what I had available, Voltammetry, XPS, or ICP would be the methods I would use, depending on the size of the sample. But I am an instrumentalist, this is how I analyze materials.

abb0t · Answer

ICP is basically mass spectrometry for metals and non-metals. I don't think they are familiar with that in high school.

anonymous · Answer

Is there information in the question that identifies it as a high school question? I assumed a college level question. Are all questions assumed to be from high school students?