What is the common state of matter found at room temperature for most metals?

The common state of matter for most metals at room temperature is solid. This is due to the strong metallic bonds present in metals, which have closely packed atoms that hold their structure firm. This solid state gives metals their characteristic hardness and makes them malleable and ductile, allowing them to be shaped and drawn into wires without breaking.

In contrast, while there are a few exceptions such as mercury, which is a liquid metal at room temperature, most metals, including iron, copper, and aluminum, are solid. Gases consist of particles that are far apart and move freely, which is not the case for metals at this temperature. Plasma is a state of matter that occurs at extremely high temperatures where electrons are stripped from atoms, resulting in ionized gas, which is also not relevant here. Thus, the solid state is the norm for metals at room temperature.