Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Study Notes

Properties of Metals

Luster: Shiny appearance, reflects light.
Conductivity: Good conductors of heat and electricity.
Malleability: Can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.
Ductility: Can be drawn into wires.
Hardness: Generally hard and strong.
Density: Generally have high density.
Melting and Boiling Points: High melting and boiling points.

Properties of Non-metals

Luster: Dull appearance, non-reflective.
Conductivity: Poor conductors of heat and electricity (insulators).
Malleability & Ductility: Brittle in solid form; not malleable or ductile.
Density: Generally have low density.
Melting and Boiling Points: Lower melting and boiling points compared to metals.
Reactivity: Varies significantly; many are reactive, particularly with metals.

Metallic Bonding

Definition: Bonding that occurs between metal atoms.
Electron Behavior: Involves a 'sea of electrons' that are free to move around, leading to conductivity.
Characteristics:
- Strong attraction between positively charged metal ions and delocalized electrons.
- Provides properties like malleability and ductility due to the ability of the metal atoms to slide over one another without breaking the bond.

Non-metallic Bonding

Types: Primarily covalent bonding, where non-metal atoms share electrons.
Characteristics:
- Form molecules through shared pairs of electrons.
- Can form gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature.
- Bond strength can vary widely based on the types of non-metals involved.

Applications of Metals and Non-metals

Metals:
- Construction: Steel and aluminum used in buildings and infrastructure.
- Electrical: Copper and aluminum wires for electrical conductivity.
- Manufacturing: Tools, machinery, and automotive components.
- Alloys: Combined with other metals to enhance properties (e.g., brass, bronze).
Non-metals:
- Chemicals: Used in fertilizers (nitrogen), the production of acids (sulfuric acid).
- Electronics: Non-metals like silicon used in semiconductors.
- Medicine: Carbon in organic compounds, oxygen for respiration, and various non-metallic compounds in pharmaceuticals.
- Fuel: Non-metal substances (like hydrocarbons) in energy production.

Metals: Key Properties and Applications

Possess characteristic luster (shiny appearance).
Excellent conductors of heat and electricity due to freely moving electrons.
Malleable (hammered into sheets) and ductile (drawn into wires), owing to their electron structure.
Typically hard, strong, and dense.
Exhibit high melting and boiling points.
Widely used in construction (steel, aluminum), electrical wiring (copper, aluminum), manufacturing, and as integral components in alloys (brass, bronze).

Non-metals: Key Properties and Applications

Generally dull and non-reflective.
Poor conductors of heat and electricity (good insulators).
Brittle in their solid state, lacking malleability and ductility.
Less dense than metals.
Lower melting and boiling points compared to metals.
Display varying reactivity; some are highly reactive, especially with metals.
Essential in numerous applications: chemical industry (fertilizers, acids), electronics (semiconductors), medicine (various compounds), and energy production (hydrocarbons).

Metallic Bonding

Characterized by a 'sea' of delocalized electrons surrounding positively charged metal ions.
Strong electrostatic attraction between these ions and electrons accounts for the characteristic properties of metals.
The mobility of electrons enables high electrical and thermal conductivity.
The ability of metal ions to slide past each other without disrupting the metallic bond gives rise to malleability and ductility.

Non-metallic Bonding

Primarily involves covalent bonding where atoms share electrons to achieve stable electron configurations.
Results in the formation of discrete molecules.
Can exist as gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature, depending on the intermolecular forces.
Bond strength varies significantly based on the atoms involved and the type of covalent bond (single, double, or triple).

Description

Explore the distinct characteristics of metals and non-metals in this quiz. Learn about their luster, conductivity, malleability, ductility, and other properties. Understand the differences in bonding and reactivity between these two categories of elements.