(Au, Ag, Fe, Cu, Zn, Hg, Sn, Mg, Pb, Pt, w, 02, N2, C, 12,012, H2,58, write the uses and properties of metal and non-metal
Answers
Physical properties
The table summarises some typical properties of metals and non-metals.
Metals Non-metals
Shiny Dull
High melting points Low melting points
Good conductors of electricity Poor conductors of electricity
Good conductors of heat Poor conductors of heat
High density Low density
Malleable and ductile Brittle
Some elements have properties that are not typical. For example:
mercury (a metal) has a low melting point and exists as a liquid at room temperature
graphite, a form of carbon (a non-metal), has a high boiling point and is also a good conductor of electricity
A substance with a high density means it has a high mass for its size.
Malleable substances can be bent or hammered into shape without shattering, while brittle substances shatter when bent or hit.
Ductile means that a substance can be drawn out into a long wire without snapping or breaking.
Chemical properties
Metals and non-metals can also be distinguished by some chemical properties.
The most common chemical property is the type of oxide that the element forms. Metals form oxides that are basic, but non-metals form oxides that are acidic. For example, sulfur and carbon are both non-metals. They react with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. These compounds are both gases present in the air and which dissolve in rain water, making it acidic.
Some oxides do not dissolve in water, so would not affect the colour of an indicator added to the water.