Question

State two reasons for not accepting the classification of elements on the basis of metals and non-metals.

Answer 1

Lavoisier's classification into metals and non-metals:

• Classification into metals and non-metals was based on the physical and chemical properties of the elements like hardness, malleability, lustre, reactivity etc.
• He classified the elements into 2 major groups, i.e. as metals and non metals.

Two reasons for not accepting the classification of elements on the basis of metals and non-metals:

1. Many elements show deviations in the physical properties in the form of exceptions. Example: Iodine (I) is lustrous but is a non-metal.
2. Some properties of a few elements resembled with metals and some properties resembled with non-metals. So it was difficult to classify them into either metals or non-metals.