Question

Differentiate between metals and non-metals on the basis of physical and chemical properties.

Hint:

For exams, focus on the key distinguishing properties: Metals are lustrous, malleable, ductile, and good conductors, and they form basic oxides. Non-metals are the opposite. Also, remember the important exceptions: Mercury (liquid metal), Graphite (conductive non-metal), Iodine (lustrous non-metal), Diamond (hardest non-metal).

Answer 1

Metals and non-metals can be differentiated based on the following properties: 

\[\begin{array}{|l|l|l|} \hline \textbf{Property} & \textbf{Metals} & \textbf{Non-Metals} \\ \hline \textbf{Physical Properties} \\ \hline \textbf{Lustre} & \text{Have a shiny surface (metallic lustre).} & \text{Are dull (non-lustrous), except iodine.} \\ \hline \textbf{Hardness} & \text{Generally hard (except sodium, potassium).} & \text{Generally soft (except diamond).} \\ \hline \textbf{State} & \text{Exist as solids at room temperature (except mercury).} & \text{Exist as solids, liquids, or gases.} \\ \hline \textbf{Malleability} & \text{Can be beaten into thin sheets. } & \text{Are brittle and cannot be beaten into sheets.} \\ \hline \textbf{Ductility} & \text{Can be drawn into thin wires.} & \text{Are non-ductile.} \\ \hline \textbf{Conductivity} & \text{Good conductors of heat and electricity.} & \text{Poor conductors (except graphite).} \\ \hline \textbf{Sonority} & \text{Produce a ringing sound when hit (sonorous).} & \text{Are not sonorous.} \\ \hline \textbf{Chemical Properties} \\ \hline \textbf{Ion Formation} & \text{Tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations).} & \text{Tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions).} \\ \hline \textbf{Nature of Oxides} & \text{Oxides are generally basic or amphoteric in nature.} & \text{Oxides are generally acidic or neutral in nature.} \\ \hline \textbf{Reaction with Acids} & \text{Generally react with dilute acids to displace hydrogen gas.} & \text{Do not react with dilute acids to displace hydrogen.} \\ \hline \end{array}\]