How to know if the element is metal or a non metal
How to know if the element is metal or a non metal
Elements are classified as metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Metals are present at the left side of the periodic table. Non-metals are present at the right side of the periodic table.
All metals are electro-positive and have 1-3 valence electrons in their outermost shell which means they lose electrons to attain a stable electronic configuration. All nonmetals generally have 5-7 valance electrons which means they gain electrons in their outermost shell to attain a stable electronic configuration. By this, we can find out if it's a metal or a non-metal.
There are many properties by which we can identify a metal or non-metal :
=> Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, and are malleable (they can be hammered into sheets) and ductile (they can be drawn into wire). Most of the metals are solids at room temperature, with a characteristic shine (except for mercury, which is a liquid).
Metals have low ionization energies and low electron affinities, so they lose electrons relatively easily to form cations.
=> Nonmetals are (usually) poor conductors of heat and electricity, and are not malleable or ductile; many of the elemental nonmetals are gases at room temperature, while others are liquids and others are solids.
Nonmetals have high ionization energies and high electron affinities, so they gain electrons relatively easily and lose them with difficulty. They also have a larger number of valence electrons and are already close to having a complete octet of eight electrons.
Elements are classified as metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Metals are present at the left side of the periodic table. Non-metals are present at the right side of the periodic table.
All metals are electro-positive and have 1-3 valence electrons in their outermost shell which means they lose electrons to attain a stable electronic configuration. All nonmetals generally have 5-7 valance electrons which means they gain electrons in their outermost shell to attain a stable electronic configuration. By this, we can find out if it's a metal or a non-metal.
There are many properties by which we can identify a metal or non-metal :
=> Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, and are malleable (they can be hammered into sheets) and ductile (they can be drawn into wire). Most of the metals are solids at room temperature, with a characteristic shine (except for mercury, which is a liquid).
Metals have low ionization energies and low electron affinities, so they lose electrons relatively easily to form cations.
=> Nonmetals are (usually) poor conductors of heat and electricity, and are not malleable or ductile; many of the elemental nonmetals are gases at room temperature, while others are liquids and others are solids.
Nonmetals have high ionization energies and high electron affinities, so they gain electrons relatively easily and lose them with difficulty. They also have a larger number of valence electrons and are already close to having a complete octet of eight electrons.
