Question

Differentiate between the physical properties of metals and non-metals.

Answer 1

Property	Metals	Non-metals
State	Metals are generally solid at room temperature. Mercury and gallium are exceptions as they are liquids at room temperature.	Non-metals are generally brittle solids or may be liquids or gases.
Hardness	Metals are generally hard. However, metals like sodium, potassium are soft and can be cut with a knife. Similarly, metals like gold and aluminium are not very hard	Non-metals are generally not hard. However, diamond (an allotrope of carbon) is the hardest, naturally occurring substance.
Lustre	When the metals are freshly cut, they have a brilliant shine over the cut surface. This metallic shine is called lustre. Thus, metals can be highly polished.	Non-metals generally have no lustre. However, iodine and graphite have lustre.
Malleability	Metals are generally malleable. However, metals like zinc, arsenic and antimony are exceptions.	Non-metals are non-malleable. If hammered, they form a powdery mass. There are brittle in nature.
Ductility	Metals are generally ductile. However, metals like zinc, arsenic and antimony are exceptions.	Non-metals are non-ductile. Carbon fibre, a recently developed allotrope of carbon, is highly ductile
Conductivity	Metals are generally good conductors of heat and electricity. Silver is the best conductor. However, bismuth and tungsten are poor conductors.	Non-metals are generally bad conductors of electricity. However, graphite and gas carbon are good conductors of electricity.
Sonorous	When metals are struck with some hard material, they produce a ringing sound. Thus, metals are said to be sonorous.	Non-metals are non-sonorous, i.e. when struck with hammer, they do not produce ringing sound.