Question

Differentiate metals and non metals on the basis of their physical properties

Answer 1

Explanation:

The difference between metals and non-metals are:

• The natural elements that are hard, shiny, opaque and dense are metals. The chemical substances that are soft, non-shiny, transparent and brittle, are non-metals.
• Metals are electropositive in nature as they easily lose electrons, so they are reducing agents. On the contrary, Non-metals are electronegative because they gain electrons and thus they are oxidising agents.
• Metals have a crystalline structure, whereas non-metals possess amorphic structure.
• At room temperature, metals are usually solid, except mercury and gallium which are in the liquid state. Conversely, non-metals can be found in solid or gaseous form, except Bromine which is the only non-metal that is present in liquid form.
• Density is the ratio of mass to volume; metals have a higher density as compared to non-metals.
• Metals look smooth and shiny, while non-metals usually appear dull.
• When it comes to hardness, metals are generally hard substance, but it varies from substance to substance. Unlike non-metals is soft substance except diamond, which is the hardest substance on earth.
• Malleability is the characteristic of metals, to be converted to the thin sheet when beaten by a hammer. As against this, non-metals are brittle, as on beating with the hammer, non-metals are broken down into pieces.
• Ductility is the property of metals, to be drawn into wires, but non-metals do not possess such property.
• Sonorous is the feature of metals of producing a deep or ringing sound. However, non-metals are non-sonorous.
• Metals support conduction of heat and electricity. Conversely, non-metals are insulators, and so they do not support conduction of heat and electricity.
• Metals have a very high melting and boiling point. In contrast, non-metals are boiled and melted at a relatively low temperature.
• In the outer shell, metals consist of 1 to 3 electrons, whereas non-metals consist of 4 to 8 electrons.
• Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides, which are basic in nature, so they have electrovalent or ionic bonds. On the flip side, when non-metals react with oxygen to form non-metal oxides of acidic nature and thus, they have covalent bonds.
• Metals react with dilute acid, to produce salt and hydrogen gas. As opposed, non-metals do not usually react with dilute acid.