Which of the following properties characterize metals?

The correct characterization of metals includes their malleability and lustrous appearance. Malleability refers to the ability of metals to be deformed or shaped under stress without breaking, allowing them to be rolled into sheets or hammered into various shapes. This property is due to the arrangement of atoms in metals, which allows layers of atoms to slide over each other when force is applied.

Additionally, metals are typically lustrous, meaning they have a shiny appearance. This shiny quality arises from the way metals reflect light, attributed to the presence of free electrons that can absorb and re-emit light.

This combination of malleability and luster distinguishes metals from nonmetals and metalloids, which do not exhibit these properties to the same extent. Understanding these characteristics is crucial when studying how different materials interact in various contexts, such as in construction, electronics, and various applications in chemistry.