What are the chemical differences between metals and nonmetals?
Answers
Metals and non metals are an important part of our life. We can't survive without non metals like oxygen. Let's find out more about the chemical properties of metals and non metals.
The density of the metal is usually high. Non metals have very low density. Metals are malleable and ductile while non metals aren't malleable and ductile. Metals are good conductor of heat and electricity. Non metals are bad conductor of heat and electricity. Metals are in solid state except Mercury. Mercury is in liquid state. Non metals are in liquid or gaseous state. Metals form alloy. The non metals aren't form alloy.
Explanation:
Metals Non-metals
Metals are electro-positive. Non-metals are electronegative.
Metals reacts with oxygen to form basic oxides.
4Na+O
2
→2Na
2
O
Non-metals react with oxygen to form neutral or acidic oxide.
C+O
2
→CO
2
Metal oxides and hydroxides bonds have ionic bonds. Non-metal oxides and hydroxides have covalent bonds.
Metals react with water to form hydroxide and hydrogen.
2Na+2H
2
O→2NaOH+H
2
Non-metals do not react with water.
Metals react with dilute acids to form salt and H
2
. Non-metals do not react with dilute acid and they can not displace hydrogen.
Metals react as reducing agent by donating electrons.
Na→Na
+
+e
−
Non-metals are oxidizing agents that can gain the electrons.
Cl
2
+e
−
→Cl