Question

You are given a hammer, a battery, a bulb, wires and a switch.

1. How could you use them to distinguish between samples of metals and non-metals?
2. Assess the usefulness of these tests in distinguishing between metals and non-metals.

Answer 1

(a) With the hammer, we can beat the sample and if it can be beaten into thin sheets (that is, it is malleable), then it is a metal otherwise a non-metal. Similarly, we can use the battery, bulb, wires, and a switch to set up a circuit with the sample. If the sample conducts electricity, then it is a metal otherwise a non-metal.

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(b) The above tests are useful in distinguishing between metals and non-metals as these are based on the physical properties. No chemical reactions are involved in these tests.