Difference Between Metals and Nonmetals

In this article, we will go to learn about the difference between metals and nonmetals. There are so many metals and non-metals present in our environment. And these have a wide variety of applications. They are used in various industries throughout the world. The knowledge of these metals and non-metals is very crucial to everyone. Here I am going to discuss the difference between them. I hope that you will like it.

What are Metals

The elements that have a tendency to lose their valence electrons and form positive ions are called metals. They are solid at room temperature except for Mercury that exists in a liquid phase at room temperature. For Examples: Aluminium, iron, copper, gold, silver, platinum, lead, zinc, titanium, etc.

Properties

  • Good conductors of heat and electricity.
  • They are lustrous i.e have a shinning appearance
  • They are ductile in nature. Ductile means that they can be drawn into thin wires.
  • They are Malleable in Nature, it means that they can be hammered into thin sheets.
  • They are sonorous in nature. Sonorous means, it produces sound when bitten with an object.
  • They form basic oxides.

What are Non Metals

The elements that have a tendency to accepts electrons and form negative ions are called non-metals. They may be solid, liquid and gaseous at room temperature. For Example Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen, sodium, etc.

Properties

  • Poor conductors of heat and electricity except for graphite.
  • They are non-lustrous in nature i.e. have a dull appearance.
  • They are non-ductile in nature, which means that they can not be drawn into thin wires.
  • They are not malleable in nature.
  • They form negative ions by accepting electrons.
  • They are non-sonorous in nature.
  • They form acidic oxides.

Also Read:

Difference Between Metals and Non-metals in Tabular Form

S.no Metals Non-metals
1 They are solid at room temperature except for mercury which is liquid at
room temperature.
They may be solid, liquid, and gaseous at room temperature.
2 Good conductors of heat and electricity. Poor conductors of heat and electricity.
3. They have shining appearance i.e. lustrous They are non-lustrous i.e. having dull appearance.
4. They have ductility i.e. they can be drawn into thin wires. They are non-ductile.
5 Metals are malleable. It means that it can be hammered into thin
sheets.
Non-metals not malleable.
6. They are the elements whose atoms possess 1-3 electrons in their
outermost shell (valence shell).
They are the elements whose atoms possess 4-8 electrons in their
outermost shell.
7 They have the tendency to lose electrons from their valence shell They have the tendency to gain electrons in their outermost shell
8 Metals are sonorous i.e. produces sound when bitten. They are non-sonorous in nature.
9 They form basic oxides. They form oxides which are acidic in nature.
10 They are having low electronegativity. They have high electronegativity.
11 They are good reducing agent. They are good oxidizing agent.

 

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