Properties of Metals, Non-metals, and Metalloids

Questions and Answers

What is a metal?

An element that is gaseous at room temperature

An element that is soft and brittle

An element that is typically hard and shiny (correct)

An element that is a poor conductor of heat

What is a non-metal?

An element that is good at conducting electricity

An element that is soft and brittle (correct)

An element that has metallic characteristics

An element that is hard and shiny

What are metalloids?

Elements with properties in between metals and nonmetals.

What is conductivity?

The ability to conduct or transmit heat, electricity, or sound. Signup and view all the answers

What does luster refer to?

The quality of shining by reflecting light. Signup and view all the answers

Define malleability.

The ability to be shaped without breaking. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a material is dull?

It is not shiny. Signup and view all the answers

What does brittle mean?

Breaking easily when pressed or hammered. Signup and view all the answers

What is rust?

A reddish substance that forms on iron or metal when exposed to moisture or air. Signup and view all the answers

What does ductile mean?

The ability to be drawn out into a thin wire. Signup and view all the answers

What is tarnish?

The dulling of a metallic surface due to oxidation. Signup and view all the answers

Define chemical property.

A characteristic observed during a reaction that changes the substance's composition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a physical property?

A measurable property observed without changing the substance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Properties of Metals, Non-metals, and Metalloids

Metals: Typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile; excellent conductors of heat and electricity. Examples include iron, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, and alloys like brass and steel.
Non-metals: Generally soft and brittle, often found in gaseous states; dull and non-ductile with poor conductivity. Common examples are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine.
Metalloids: Elements that exhibit properties intermediate between metals and non-metals, useful in various applications involving semiconductors.

Key Property Definitions

Conductivity: Refers to an element's ability to transmit heat, electricity, or sound effectively.
Luster: The quality of a surface that reflects light, contributing to a shiny appearance typical in many metals.
Malleability: The capability of a material to be shaped, hammered, or pressed into different forms without breaking.
Dull: A characteristic of a surface that lacks shine, often associated with non-metals and tarnished metals.
Brittle: Describes materials that break easily when subjected to pressure; the opposite of malleability.
Rust: A reddish residue that forms on metals like iron when exposed to moisture or air, indicative of a chemical reaction.
Ductile: The ability of a material to be stretched into thin wires without breaking, a significant property of many metals.
Tarnish: A chemical property in which a metallic surface becomes dull due to oxidation or discoloration over time.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Chemical Property: A characteristic that can only be observed during a chemical reaction, involving a change in the substance's chemical composition or identity.
Physical Property: Measurable attributes of a substance that can be observed without altering its chemical identity; includes features like color, boiling point, and hardness.

Description

Test your knowledge on the properties of metals, non-metals, and metalloids with our flashcards. Each card provides a key term along with its clear definition. Perfect for students studying chemistry and material properties.