Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Study Notes

Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Metals:

Typically shiny and lustrous
Good conductors of heat and electricity
Malleable (can be beaten into thin sheets)
Ductile (can be drawn into thin wires)
High density
High melting and boiling points
Often react with acids to form salts and hydrogen gas

Non-Metals:

Dull and brittle
Poor conductors of heat and electricity
Not malleable or ductile
Low density
Low melting and boiling points
Often react with oxygen to form acidic oxides

Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Metals:

Tend to lose electrons to form cations
React with acids to form salts and hydrogen gas
React with oxygen to form basic oxides
Can be oxidized or corroded

Non-Metals:

Tend to gain electrons to form anions
React with hydrogen to form acidic hydrides
React with oxygen to form acidic oxides
Do not corrode

Examples of Metals and Non-Metals

Metals:

Sodium (Na)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)
Zinc (Zn)
Gold (Au)

Non-Metals:

Carbon (C)
Nitrogen (N)
Oxygen (O)
Phosphorus (P)
Sulfur (S)

Metalloids

Also known as semi-metals
Exhibit some properties of metals and some properties of non-metals
Examples: Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), Tellurium (Te)

Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Metals are characteristically shiny and lustrous, whereas non-metals are dull and brittle.
Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, whereas non-metals are poor conductors.
Metals are malleable (can be beaten into thin sheets) and ductile (can be drawn into thin wires), whereas non-metals are not malleable or ductile.
Metals have high density, whereas non-metals have low density.
Metals have high melting and boiling points, whereas non-metals have low melting and boiling points.

Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Metals tend to lose electrons to form cations, whereas non-metals tend to gain electrons to form anions.
Metals react with acids to form salts and hydrogen gas, whereas non-metals react with hydrogen to form acidic hydrides.
Metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides, whereas non-metals react with oxygen to form acidic oxides.
Metals can be oxidized or corroded, whereas non-metals do not corrode.

Examples of Metals and Non-Metals

Examples of metals include Sodium (Na), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), and Gold (Au).
Examples of non-metals include Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Phosphorus (P), and Sulfur (S).

Metalloids

Metalloids, also known as semi-metals, exhibit some properties of metals and some properties of non-metals.
Examples of metalloids include Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), and Tellurium (Te).

Description

This quiz covers the characteristic properties of metals and non-metals, including their physical and chemical properties, conductivity, and reactivity. Test your knowledge of the differences between these two groups of elements.