Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Properties of Metals

• Lustrous
• Good conductors of heat and electricity
• Malleable and ductile
• Sonorous

Properties of Non-Metals

• Opposite properties of metals
• Mercury is the only liquid metal
• Gallium and caesium have low melting points
• Lithium, sodium, and potassium are soft metals that can be cut with a knife
• Lead (Pb) is a poor conductor
• Low melting points

Allotropy

• Carbon exists in different forms with different physical properties
• The phenomenon where different forms of carbon exhibit similar chemical properties but differ in physical properties is called allotropy
• Allotropes of carbon include diamond, graphite, and charcoal

Metal Reactions

• Reaction with water: Highly reactive metals (like Na, K) react violently with cold water, releasing hydrogen gas
• Reaction with water (calcium): Less violent reaction than with highly reactive metals.
• Reaction with water (Al, Fe, and Zn): Do not react with cold water, but react with steam to produce hydrogen gas
• Reaction with acid: Metals react with acids to produce salts and hydrogen gas. Lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and silver (Ag) do not react with water.

Other Reactions

• Reaction with oxygen: 2Cu + O₂ → 2CuO (copper oxide forming black)
• 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃ (aluminium oxide forming black)

Metal Reactivity Series

• Metals are arranged in a series based on their ability to lose electrons and form ions in solutions
• The higher the metal in the series, the greater its tendency to form ions in solution (lose electrons)
• Example: Fe (Iron) + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu (Iron displaces copper in copper sulfate solution)

Exceptions

• Gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) are noble metals because they do not react with strong acids like sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃)
• These metals are stable

Metal Reactions with Salt Solutions

• Displacement reaction where a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its salt solution
• Example: Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu (Iron displaces copper from copper sulfate)

Explore the characteristics of metals and non-metals, including their physical and chemical properties. Understand the concept of allotropy with examples of carbon forms and learn about the reactions of different metals with water. Test your knowledge through this engaging quiz.