I have the tendancy to go all technical and big words when I post an inquir- question like this. I'll try not to though since I realize probably a lot of people are younger than I am >_>;

Alright so here's the deal: Why can't the Earth Benders bend Metal?

Technically, they should be able to. Metal itself is a type of mineral. So that relates to rock and all that stuff. Same with Sand. It's also technically a type of 'earth', yet Toph (sorry if I spelt her name wrong) could not bend the sand. Is there a reason for this seperation other than the fact that if Earth Benders were able to bend ALL minerals, they would become extremely powerful?

Something that bothered me for a while...and inspired me to write a fanfic soon

P.S: Hullo to you all, this is my first time posting on the forums!

Earthbenders can bend metal, but it has to be natural metals in the rock. Once it is altered by man, it cannot be bent. Here, I quote from the Nick.com Avatar site: "Earthbending's most significant weakness is its inability to manipulate man altered metals. Firbenders exploit this weakness by smelting metal to remove it natural impurities, and then using it to construct their armor, ships, and forts." That is why. Here's a link for you to check yourself:??http://www.nick.com/all_nick/tv_supersites/avatar2/index.jhtml?gquit=true. Click on one of the nation symbols in the corner of the map, then click on "The Bending Arts" and then scroll down to Earthbending. But next time ask??any questions you have in the Ask A Question, Get An Answer Thread at the top of the forum. Thank you.??

Yes, and also, earthbenders can bend sand. Toph shot a wave of sand at the sandbenders, though she missed because she can't see clearly on sand.

Also, Toph did bend the sand. You didn't see her form it into solid stone? Or when she tried to save Appa from those Sandbenders? Sand is earth, since it's ground up quartz and rock. Sandbenders are just referred to as, well, Sandbenders rather than Earthbenders, because they specialize in bending sand since they live in the desert. It is their tribe's bending art technique. And Earthbenders can bend all minerals, just not man altered ones like I said before.

Ahh, sorry I didn't notice the Ask A Question thread.

As for Toph's bending, I actually thought she merely threw a wad of sand at the theives. o_o Maybe I'm becoming blind. Thank you for your replies. ^^

Sand is also silicon, just for you to know.

How about this: metal and glass have been torched by fire, thus they don't qualify as "earth".

I don't think the Avatar universe has glass.

If there are metalbenders, there would also probably be woodbenders since metal and wood are two of the Chinese elements.?? If so, who would be able to bend wood?

they should be called rock or dirt benders but that sounds retarded. it is ture that metal is made from earth but it is not the same materiel amd that is why they call metal metal and not rock

Alright, there's glass, but it's underused.

I think they should create a metal bender that can bend all types of metal.