wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

(a) Explain the terms ‘metal’. ‘nonmetal’, and metalloid' giving two examples of each

(b) Classify the following as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids:

Hydrogen, sodium, potassium, gold, bromine, carbon, silicon, mercury, sulphur, phosphorus


Open in App
Solution

Elements can be classified into metals, nonmetals, and metalloids depending upon the properties-

Metals

  • Metals are generally hard but exceptions are there sodium and potassium which are soft.
  • Metals have shiny surface i.e.., lustrous.
  • Metals are malleable. i.e.., we can make sheets out of them when hammered.
  • Metals are ductile. i.e., they can be drawn into wires ( copper wire is a good example).
  • Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.
  • They can produce ringing sound when struck. i.e., sonorous.
  • Examples: Copper(Cu), Silver(Ag).

Nonmetals

  • Nonmetals are generally soft but diamond is an exception which is the hardest material.
  • Nonmetals have non-shiny surface, i.e nonlustrous.
  • Nonmetals are nonmalleable, i.e we can not make sheets out of them when hammered.
  • Nonmetals are nonductile, i.e they can not be drawn into wires.
  • Nonmetals are bad conductors of heat and electricity but exception is there graphite which is a good conductor of electricity.
  • They can not produce ringing sound when struck. i.e.,nonsonorous.
  • Example: Carbon(C), Oxygen(O).

Metalloids

  • Elements which show character (properties) in between metals and nonmetals are categorised as metalloids.
  • The appearence is similar to that of metals.
  • They are generally brittle, i.e hard but can easily break.
  • Example: Boron(B), Silicon(Si).

(b) By analysing the properties of metals, nonmetals and metalloids, we can classify the elements into

Metals: Sodium(Na), Potassium(K), Gold(Au), Mercury(Hg) (a metal which is in liquid state).

Nonmetals: Carbon(C), Sulphur(S), Phosphorus(P), Bromine(Br).

Metalloids: Silicon(Si).


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
1
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Physical Properties of Metals
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon