Question

if you are given two samples how do you distinguish which one is metal and which is non metal

Answer 1

metal will have a lustrous surface
non metal will have no lusture

Answer 2

Another difference is that metals tend to lose their valence electrons, but non-metals share or gain valence electrons. ... While metals are good conductors of electricity and heat, non-metals are poor conductors. Unlike non-metals, metals are ductile, which means they can be stretched into wires.