Metals vs Non-Metals: Properties, Reactions, Differences

Physical Properties of Metals

• Lustrous (shiny), malleable (can be hammered into sheets), ductile (drawn into wires)
• Good conductors of heat and electricity (best: silver, copper)
• Generally solid at room temperature (exception: mercury is liquid)
• High melting and boiling points (exception: gallium melts in hand)
• Sonorous (ring when struck)

Physical Properties of Non-Metals

• Dull/non-lustrous (exception: iodine is lustrous, diamond shines)
• Brittle — break easily when hammered
• Poor conductors (exception: graphite conducts electricity)
• Exist in all three states: Carbon (solid), Bromine (liquid), Oxygen (gas)
• Low melting and boiling points (exception: diamond has very high MP)

Chemical Reactions

• Metals lose electrons → form cations: Na → Na⁺ + e⁻
• Non-metals gain electrons → form anions: Cl + e⁻ → Cl⁻
• Metals react with acids to give H₂: Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂
• Metal oxides are basic: CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂
• Non-metal oxides are acidic: SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄