Metals vs. Non-Metals
In the world of chemistry, there are elements that are classified as metals and elements that are classified as non-metals. Metals are characterized by their ability to conduct electricity and heat, while non-metals are characterized by their inability to do so. The two groups also differ in their physical properties, with metals being malleable and ductile while non-metals are brittle.
Metals
Metals are chemical elements with certain properties. They are shiny, they conduct electricity and heat, they can be drawn into wires, and they can be hammered into thin sheets. Metals are found in the earth’s crust, but they are not found naturally in their pure form. They must be extracted from ores, which are rocks that contain metals.
Metals Make Up a Large Portion of the Known Elements
There are 118 known elements in the periodic table, and of those, a little over three-quarters are metals. They range in properties from very reactive, like sodium and potassium, to very unreactive, like gold and platinum. The reactivity of a metal is determined by its electron configuration; the more valence electrons on the outermost energy level, the more reactive the element is. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity and have a lustrous sheen. They tend to be malleable and ductile, meaning they can be hammered or drawn into thin wires. The majority of metals are solids at room temperature with a few exceptions like mercury, which is liquid.
Element Classification: Metals are Classified Based on Physical and Chemical Properties
The physical and chemical properties of metals are what dictate how they are classified. Metals can be classified as either pure metal or alloy. Alloys are created when two or more metals are combined together. The atoms of the metals bond together to create a new, stronger metal. There are three main types of alloys: interstitial alloys, substitutional alloys, and composite alloys.
Metals can also be classified based on their physical properties, such as density, hardness, and conductivity. Density is the measure of how much mass an object has in a given volume. Hardness is a measure of how resistant an object is to scratching or deforming. Conductivity is a measure of how well an object conducts electricity or heat.
Metals are classified based on their chemical properties. The three main types of metals are ferrous, non-ferrous, and noble. Ferrous metals contain iron and are magnetic. Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and are not magnetic. Noble metals are resistant to corrosion and have a high melting point.
Physical Properties: Include Luster, Conductivity, Ductility, and Malleability
Luster, conductivity, ductility, and malleability are all physical properties that are often taken into consideration when discussing a material. Luster is the level of shine that material has, conductivity is how well a material conducts electricity or heat, ductility is how easily a material can be drawn into thin wires, and malleability is how easily a material can be hammered into thin sheets.
Luster
Luster is the property of a metal that allows it to reflect light. This can be seen in the way that metals shine and sparkle. Luster is what makes metals look polished and smooth. It is also what makes them resistant to tarnishing.
Malleability
Malleability is a property of a metal that refers to its ability to be deformed or shaped without breaking. This is due to the fact that metals are composed of small, tightly packed atoms that are able to slide past one another. When a metal is hit with a force, the atoms compress and slide past one another, which allows the metal to deform without breaking.
Ductility
Ductility is a property of a metal that allows it to be drawn into thin wires. It is typically measured by the amount of deformation that can be achieved before fracture. Ductility is an important factor in the manufacturing of wire and other products made from metal.
Conductivity
Conductivity is the property of a metal that allows it to conduct electricity. This is because the atoms in a metal are held together by delocalized electrons, which are free to move throughout the metal. When an electric field is applied to a metal, the delocalized electrons will flow through the metal, and this flow of electrons is what we call an electric current.
Chemical Properties: Include Reactivity
In chemistry, reactivity refers to the chemical properties of a substance that describe its ability to participate in chemical reactions. The more reactive a substance is, the more likely it is to undergo chemical reactions. Reactivity is influenced by a number of factors, including the nature of the atom, the strength of the bond between atoms, and the presence of other substances.
Alloys: A Mixture of Two or More Metals
An alloy is a material consisting of two or more metals, typically combined to give improved properties over those of the individual metals. The resulting mixture can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Alloys are used in a wide variety of applications, from the steel used in buildings and bridges to the aluminum cans that contain soft drinks.
Metals are a Versatile Class of Elements with Many Uses
Metals are a class of elements that are characterized by their high electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as their malleability and ductility. They are also very reflective, which makes them useful in many different applications. Some of the most common uses for metals include electrical wiring, jewelry, coins, utensils, cookware, and structural support in buildings. Metals are used in a wide variety of applications, including electrical wiring, plumbing, construction, and manufacturing.
Non-Metals
Non-metals are chemical elements that do not exhibit the properties of metals. They are non-conductors of electricity and heat and have lower melting and boiling points than metals. Non-metals include hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, iodine, and fluorine.
General Properties of Non-Metals
Non-metals are a diverse group of elements that share some common properties. They are generally less dense than metals and have lower melting and boiling points. Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity and are brittle at room temperature.
Non-metals tend to be gas or insoluble at room temperature, with the exception of carbon, silicon, germanium, boron, and tellurium. The majority of non-metals exist as diatomic molecules or polyatomic molecules in nature. The exceptions to this are boron, carbon, silicon, germanium, arsenic, selenium, tellurium, and iodine which exist as monatomic atoms.
Physical Properties of Non-Metals
Non-metals are a very diverse group of elements with a wide range of properties. They can be found in all three states of matter at room temperature and have a variety of different colors. Non-metals tend to be poor conductors of heat and electricity, and are generally not very strong. However, there are some exceptions to these general trends.
Chemical Properties of Non-Metals
1. Non-metals are elements that do not have the properties of metals.
2. They are found in the periodic table to the right of the metalloids.
3. The non-metals include hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, and iodine.
4. These elements are solids, liquids, or gases at room temperature with the exception of hydrogen which is a gas.
5. Non-metals have low melting and boiling points and are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
6. They tend to be brittle, have low densities, and be poor conductors of electricity.
7. The non-metals differ from metals in their physical and chemical properties.
8. Non-metals are found in nature either uncombined or in compounds with other elements.
Uses of Non-Metals
Most non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity and have relatively low melting and boiling points. They exist either as diatomic molecules or as giant covalent structures. The majority of non-metals are found in nature as gases or dull-looking solids.
Non-metals are used in a variety of ways. For example, carbon is used to make steel and other alloys, while silicon is used to make glass and computer chips. Phosphorus is used in fertilizers, while sulfur is used in gunpowder and matches.
Recycling of Non-Metals
Non-metals such as plastics and glass can be recycled through a process of melting and remolding. This process begins with sorting the non-metals by type and color. The sorted materials are then put into a furnace where they are melted down. Once in liquid form, the non-metals are poured into molds to create new products.
The benefits of recycling non-metals are twofold. First, it reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Second, it conserves energy and raw materials that would be needed to produce new products from scratch.