Question

Compare the physical properties of metals and the non-metals with respect to -

a. Lustre b. Malleability c. Ductility d. Sonority

Answer 1

Metals -

Elements that have an excess of electrons and a tendency to donate them are generally considered metals. For example - Sodium$\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$, Silver$\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$, etc.

Non-metals -

Non-metals are those chemical elements that in reaction with metals (positively charged ions) gain electrons. For example - Hydrogen$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$, Oxygen$\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$, etc.

	Metals	Non-metals
Lustre Lustre is a quality that specifies how light is reflected on a mineral's surface.	Metals are shiny because they contain free electrons. The free electrons in the metal can move freely, reflecting any light that strikes them.	The nonmetals have no lustre because nonmetals lack free electrons, light landing on them does not reflect, and so they are not shiny.
Malleability The tendency of a metal to convert into sheet when beaten through a hammer is known as malleability.	Metals are malleable in nature.	When non-metals are beaten with hammers stretched, they break. That means non-metals are non-malleable.
Ductility Ductility is a metal attribute that refers to its capacity to be stretched into wire without breaking.	Metals have a tendency to convert into thin wires when streteched	Non-metals are non-ductile.
Sonority Sonority is the capability to produce ringing sound.	Generally, all metals are sonorous.	Non-metals are generally non-sonorous.