Question

DEAR SUBJECT EXPERT,
Can you please clear my concept about the CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS AND NON-METALS ???

Answer 1

The chemical properties of Metals and Nonmetals are described below. Let us start with the chemical properties of metals.

• The density of metals is usually high.
• Metals are malleable and ductile.
• Metals form an alloy with other metals or non – metals.
• Some metals react with air and corrode. For e.g. Iron.
• Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. Lead is an exception.
• Generally, metals are in a solid state at room temperature. Except for Mercury. Mercury is in a liquid state.
• Many metals produce metal oxide by burning in the oxygen of the air. Highly reactive metals react violently when they’re burnt in oxygen.
• Metals like sodium and potassium are stored in oil as they react with air in seconds. They’re highly reactive metals.
• Less reactive metals like gold, silver, platinum, etc do not tarnish easily. They stay shiny and lustrous.
• Metals produce metal oxide and hydrogen gas while reacting with water.
• Soluble metal oxides dissolve in water and create metal hydroxide.
• Not all metals react with water. However, highly reactive metals like sodium and potassium react with water violently and an exothermic reaction takes places where the hydrogen immediately catches fire.
• Salt and hydrogen are produced when a metal reacts with an acid.
• Generally, a metal displaces a less reactive metal in a metal salt solution.

In the chemical properties of metals and nonmetals, we will now see the chemical properties of nonmetals

• Nonmetals are poor conductors of heat and electricity. Graphite and Gas carbon are exceptions.
• Unlike metals, nonmetals aren’t malleable and ductile.
• Nonmetals react more with metals than with nonmetals.
• Usually, nonmetals react with other nonmetals in high temperature.
• Most nonmetals do not react with air in room temperature.
• White phosphorus is the only nonmetal that reacts with air to form its oxide by burning.
• Usually, nonmetals do not react with water. Except for Chlorine, chlorine dissolves in water to form an acidic solution.
• Nonmetals have a low density.
• They do not form alloys. However, nonmetals like carbon, silicon and phosphorous.
• Nonmetals exist in all states of matter at room temperature.
• Different nonmetals have different reactions.
• Chlorine is the most reactive metal in the halogen family i.e. Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I), and Fluorine (F). The reactivity order of the halogen family is Cl > Br > I.
• Therefore, Chlorine (Cl) can displace Bromine (Br) and Iodine (I) from solutions of bromides (NaBr) and Iodides (NaI).
• Ionic solids are formed when nonmetals with high electronegativity react with alkali and alkaline earth metals.