Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of metals?

Metals are generally characterized by their high conductivity, good malleability, and high melting points. The correct answer indicates that "low density" is not a typical characteristic of metals. In fact, most metals tend to have relatively high densities due to their closely packed atomic structures and heavy atomic masses.

While there are some exceptions, such as lithium and sodium, which are considered low-density metals, the majority of metals—like iron, copper, and gold—exhibit high densities. This distinguishes them from nonmetals or lighter materials. Understanding this property helps in distinguishing metals from other categories of elements in the periodic table.