Properties of metals and Non metals

You know that our entire universe is made up of different states of matter like solid, liquid, and gases. Chemically, matter is classified as metals and non metals. In layman’s terms, we are surrounded by metals and non metals every time. Actually, usages of matter for the betterment of human is not possible without proper understanding of properties of metals and non metals.

Understanding metal and non metals?

When a substance or matter is made up of only one type of atoms or similar atoms that substance is called as an element.

Further, these elements are classified on the basis of characteristics or properties of the substance. Such classification is as metals, non metals and metalloids.

Unlike metals and non metal, Metalloids is a transitional category between these two types.

Simply put, metals and non metals are the major categories of elements on the basis of similar characteristics or properties of elements.

Difference between physical and chemical properties of metals and non metals

Before understanding properties of metals and non metals, we must know the difference between physical and chemical properties between them.

Physical properties Vs chemical properties of metals and non metals

Physical properties–properties which are observed without change in the composition of the matter are called physical properties.
It does not change the original identity of the substance.

For example, size, shape, colour, smell, taste, melting point, boiling point, density, solubility, conductivity, melleability, ductility, sonority, Hardness, toughness, etc.

Chemical properties of metals

On the other hand, chemical properties are the properties which are observed with the change in the internal composition of the substance. It shows how a substance has an ability to change its internal composition that is original identity.

These properties also show the ability of a substance to convert into a completely new and different substance.

Chemical properties are changed only when the internal composition of that substance changes. It shows how a substance reacts with air, water, acids, alkali, bases and salts etc.

Some major important physical properties of metals

Excluding a couple of examples, all metals are in a solid phase. ( Mercury and Gallium are in liquid state at room temperature.)

1.Hardness property of metals

The one of notable property of metal is hardness. It is a property of material or a substance which shows resistance to the scratches, abrasion and cutting.
Metals are hard in nature (excluding some metals from group 1st like Sodium, Potasium are soft metals. )

2.Toughness property of metals

Second property of metals is toughness. It is a property of metal in which metals offer resistance to breaking and fracture. Metal also bear pressure due to this.

3.Malleability and ductility properties of metals

Both Malleability and ductility properties are so vital in terms of usages. These are due to which metals can be hammered and converted into thin metal sheets. Ductility property of metal is all about to draw into wires.

4. Conductivity of metals — special property

As we know that metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. Non metallic compound diamond is a good conductor of heat and graphite is a good conductor of electricity. These two are exceptions from non-metals.

5. Sonority property of metals

It is the property of metal due to which metals produce sound when they are stuck or hammered by other things.

6. Density of metals

Unlike non-metals, metals have more density compared to non metals. They are heavier as they accommodate more material in unit volume compared to the non metals.

7. Melting and Boling point

Chemically, atoms of metals are bound with greater intermolecular force . So they have higher melting and Boling points compared to non metals.

8. Lustrous nature of metals

Needless to say that Metals shine and they are lustrous. Non metal compounds like diamond and graphite are exceptions. These are the major properties of metals. Now, let’s see the physical properties of non-metals in detail.

Physical properties of non metals

Above mentioned physical properties of metals are completely opposite in case of non metals. Because, non-metals have opposite characteristics that of metals.

Non metals are brittle. All non metals are neither malleable nor ductile. Also, they are bad conductors of heat and electricity. (Except graphite)

Besides, they are non lustrous and cannot be polished except iodine. Unlike metals, non metals can be solid, liquid or gaseous.

Moreover, metals are tough and strong. But, non metals are neither tough nor strong.

What are the Chemical properties of metals?

Chemical properties of metals are observed or measured only after the change in the composition of the substance. Following are some important chemical properties of metals.

1. Electro positivity

Metals are electro positive as they easily lose their valence electron/s to the reacting counterpart in chemical reactions. So they become positively charged ions called “cations”.

2. Corrosivity

Metals are prone to corrosion or get erode away when they come in contact with water or sometimes water vapour.

3. Basicity or alkalinity

When Oxides of metals react with water produce bases or alkanes which are bitter and slippery in nature.

4. Salt givers

When metals react with acids they produce corresponding metal salts along liberation of hydrogen gas.

Chemical properties of non metals

The above mentioned chemical properties about metals are completely opposite in the case of non metals. Non metals are electro negative and form anions, negatively charged species.

Second, Non metals are electro negative and less prone to corrosion. Chemically, produce acids when oxides of non metals react with water. But they produce salts when reacted with acids.

What are metalloids?

Metalloids is a category of transition between metals and non metals. They show characteristics or properties of both metals and non metals. Examples: Silver, Germanium etc

These are some major but important properties of metals and non metals. Now, for clear understanding of properties of metals and non metals, let’s take a look at the summary of all key points.

Summary of properties of metals and non metals

• As we know that our universe is made up of matter and matter is classified as metals, non metals, metalloids.
• Both metals and non metals are classified on the basis of physical and chemical properties.
• Physical properties of metals means no change is observed in the composition of matter.
• While, there are internal changes observed in case of chemical properties.
• In case of physical properties, changes in the physical properties doesn’t mean that the changes in the original Identity.
• But, changes in the chemical properties, it is possible to change in the internal original structure of matter, or metal and non metals.
• Size, shape, colour, smell, taste, melting point, boiling point, density, solubility, conductivity, malleability, ductility, sonority, Hardness, toughness, etc.are physical properties of metals.
• Electro positivity, reactivity with air, water etc corrosivity, Salt givers, basicity or alkalinity, high dense are some of the chemical properties of metals.
• Physical properties of non metals like Non metals are brittle. All non metals are neither malleable nor ductile. Also, they are bad conductors of heat and electricity. (Except graphite)
• Chemically, Non metals are electro negative, less corrosive, and, acids and oxides are produced when they reacts with water.
• Finally, metalloids shows properties of both metals and non metals.

Solved questions on metals and non metals

Now, let’s have a look at the solved questions on this topic metals and non metals.

Q. 1.What does matter mean?

Ans: Matter is a substance studded or embedded with different types of particles like protons, neutrons and electrons. It has mass, occupy space and volume. Further, matter has three states, solid, liquid, and gaseous.

Q. 2.What is difference between atoms and molecules?

And: Atom is a building block of matter having subatomic particles like protons neutrons and electrons. While, two or more atoms form molecules.

Q. 3. Define the meaning of element?

Ans: When a substance or matter is made up of only one type of atoms or similar atoms that substance is called as an element. There are 118 elements in the universe.

Q. 4. Which are the physical properties of metals?

Ans: Malleability, ductility, sonority, Hardness, toughness, etc.are physical properties of metals.

Q. 5. What are the chemical properties of metals?

Ans: Electro positivity, reactivity with air, water etc corrosivity, Salt givers, basicity or alkalinity, high dense are some of the chemical properties of metals.

Q. 6. Describe the physical and chemical properties of non metals?

Ans: Non metals are brittle, neither malleable nor ductile. Also, they are bad conductors of heat and electricity. (Except graphite) Chemically, Non metals are electro negative, less corrosive, and, acids and oxides are produced when they reacts with water.

Q. 7. Write down the examples of metals?

Ans: Aluminium, magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium, copper, gold, tin, lead, etc. are the examples of metals.

Q. 8. Write down the examples of non metals?

Ans: Hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, argon etc are the examples of non metals.

Q. 9. What are the examples of metalloids?

Ans: Metalloids are a category of transition between metals and non metals. They show characteristics or properties of both metals and non metals. Silver, Germanium, silicon, antimony, arsenic, tellurium, and pollanium are the examples of metalloids.

List of metals

Hete, I’m going to write a table of metals with atomic numbers, symbols, and name of elements. There are almost 92 metals presented in the following table.

Non metals list

In this table, I’m going to provide non metals details. There are 20 non metals I’m going to provide.

Table of Metalloids

Apart from metals and non metals, here is the complete list of metalloids.

This is the complete details of the properties of metals and non metals. I hope, this information will help you in your preparation.

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