Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Physical Properties of Metals

• Typically shiny and have a high luster
• Good conductors of heat and electricity
• Malleable (can be pounded into shape) and ductile (can be stretched into thin wires)
• Have high density and high melting and boiling points
• Often have a high tensile strength (can withstand stress without breaking)

Physical Properties of Non-Metals

• Dull and brittle (can break easily)
• Poor conductors of heat and electricity
• Neither malleable nor ductile
• Have low density and low melting and boiling points
• Often have a low tensile strength

Chemical Properties of Metals

• Tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations)
• React with acids to produce hydrogen gas
• Can displace hydrogen from water to produce hydrogen gas
• Often react with oxygen to produce oxides

Chemical Properties of Non-Metals

• Tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions)
• Do not react with acids to produce hydrogen gas
• Do not displace hydrogen from water to produce hydrogen gas
• Often react with oxygen to produce covalent compounds

Examples of Metals and Non-Metals

• Metals: sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au)
• Non-Metals: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S)

Metalloids

• Also known as semimetals
• Exhibit some properties of metals and some properties of non-metals
• Examples: silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te)

Physical Properties

• Metals have a high luster and are good conductors of heat and electricity
• Metals are malleable (can be pounded into shape) and ductile (can be stretched into thin wires)
• Metals have high density and high melting and boiling points
• Metals often have a high tensile strength (can withstand stress without breaking)
• Non-metals are dull and brittle (can break easily)
• Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity
• Non-metals have low density and low melting and boiling points
• Non-metals often have a low tensile strength

Chemical Properties

• Metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations)
• Metals react with acids to produce hydrogen gas
• Metals can displace hydrogen from water to produce hydrogen gas
• Metals often react with oxygen to produce oxides
• Non-metals tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions)
• Non-metals do not react with acids to produce hydrogen gas
• Non-metals do not displace hydrogen from water to produce hydrogen gas
• Non-metals often react with oxygen to produce covalent compounds

Examples of Elements

• Metals: sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au)
• Non-Metals: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S)

Metalloids

• Also known as semimetals
• Exhibit some properties of metals and some properties of non-metals
• Examples: silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te)