Properties of Metals and Nonmetals

An Introduction to the Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

We can distinguish elements into metals and non-metals on the basis of their chemical and physical properties.. etals are defined as elements that possess properties such as , malleability, ductility, sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity. While nonmetals are those elements that are not malleable, ductile, sonorous and are poor conductors of heat and electricity. In the following figure the periodic table is given by highlighting metals and non-metals as well as metalloids.

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In this article, we will discuss the properties of metals and non-metals and the difference between the two on the basis of their properties (with exceptions) in detail.

What is metal?

A metal in chemistry is defined as an element that can easily form positive ions called cations and tends to make metallic bonds. The metals are distinguished by their chemical and physical properties such as malleability, ductility, ionization and bonding properties etc.

Properties of Metals

Examples of metals are gold, aluminium, iron and magnesium etc.. They show the following properties .

1. Physical Properties of Metals: Some of the main physical properties of metals are given below.

• Metals can be hammered into thin sheets. It means they possess the property of malleability.
• Metals are ductile. They can be drawn into wires.
• Metals are a good conductor of heat and electricity.
• Metals are lustrous which means they have a shiny appearance.
• Metals have high tensile strength. It means they can hold heavyweights.
• Metals are sonorous. It means when we strike them, they make a ringing sound.
• Metals are hard. It means they cannot be cut easily.

Chemical Properties of Metals: Some of the chemical properties of metals are given below.

• Reaction with Oxygen – Metals react with oxygen and form metallic oxides which are basic in nature.

Metal + Oxygen Metal oxide

Metal oxide + water Base

Example –Magnesium is metal and when it reacts with oxygen, it forms magnesium oxide. When we dissolve magnesium oxide in water, it gives magnesium hydroxide. The reactions are given below.

MgO + H 2 O Mg(OH) 2

• An aqueous solution of metal oxide turns red litmus paper into blue.
• Reaction with water - Metals react with water. When a metal reacts with water, metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas are formed.

Metal + Water Metal hydroxide + hydrogen

Example – Sodium metal reacts with water and forms sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction is given below –

Na + H 2 O NaOH + H 2

• Reaction With Acid - Metals react with acids and form salt and hydrogen gas. Some metals vigorously react with acids.

Metal + Acid Metal salt + hydrogen

Example – Magnesium metal reacts with hydrochloric acid and forms magnesium chloride and hydrogen. The reaction is given below –

Mg + 2HCl MgCl 2 + H 2

• Reaction With Base - Metals react with bases such as sodium hydroxide and form salt and hydrogen gas.

Metal + Base Metal salt + hydrogen

Example – Aluminium metal reacts with Sodium hydroxide and forms sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas. The reaction is given below –

Al + NaOH NaAlO 2 + H 2

• Displacement Reaction - A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its salt solution. These types of reactions are called displacement reactions.

Example – Iron is more reactive than copper. So, it displaces copper from its salt. The reaction is given below –

CuSO 4 + Fe FeSO 4 + Cu

What is non-metal?

A non-metal in chemistry can be defined as a chemical element that generally in a chemical reaction gains electrons when reacts with a metal. It has a tendency to form an acid if combined with oxygen and hydrogen. More variety in colour and states are displayed by the non-metals in comparison to metals.

Properties of Non-metals

Examples of non-metals are chlorine, carbon, bromine, sulphur, phosphorus etc. They show the following properties :

1. Physical Properties of Non-metals: Some of the major physical properties of non-metals are given below.

• Non-metals cannot be hammered into thin sheets. It means they don’t possess the property of malleability. Instead, they are brittle as they break down into pieces on hammering.
• Non-metals are not ductile. They cannot be drawn into wires.
• Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
• Non-metals are not lustrous which means they are not shiny. Instead of dull in appearance.
• Non-metals have low tensile strength. It means they cannot hold heavyweights.
• Non-metals are not sonorous. It means when we strike them, they do not make any sound.
• Non-metals are soft. It means they can be cut by knife easily.

1. Chemical Properties of Nonmetals: Some of the chemical properties of elements are given below.

• Reaction with Oxygen - Nonmetals react with oxygen and form nonmetallic oxides which are acidic in nature.

Nonmetal + Oxygen Nonmetal oxide

Nonmetal oxide + water Acid

Example – Sulfur is a nonmetal and when it reacts with oxygen, it forms sulfur dioxide. When we dissolve sulfur dioxide in water, it gives sulfurous acid. Reactions are given below.

SO 2 + H 2 O H 2 SO 3

• The aqueous solution of nonmetal oxide turns blue litmus paper into red.
• Nonmetals generally do not react with water.
• Nonmetals do not react with dilute acids although they can react with concentrated acids.

Example – C + conc. 4HNO 3 CO 2 + 4NO 2 + 2H 2 O

• Nonmetals react with strong bases but do not produce hydrogen gas. These reactions generally take place at high temperatures.

Example – 4S + 8NaOH Na 2 SO 4 + 3Na 2 S + 4H 2 O (At >600 ℃)

• A more reactive nonmetal displaces a less reactive nonmetal from its salt solution.

Example – Bromine is more reactive than iodine. So, it displaces iodine in potassium iodide compounds. The reaction is given below –

2KI + Br 2 2KBr + I 2

Difference Between Metals And Non-metals

We are differentiating metals and non-metals through their physical and chemical properties. Here, the difference between metal and nonmetal is given in a tabular manner with exceptions for better understanding. The above physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals are compared here.