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The world around us is built from two fundamental types of materials: metals and nonmetals. Each with distinct properties, they play crucial roles in shaping our lives.
Metals, like the gleaming copper in wires and the sturdy steel in bridges, are the champions of conductivity. They readily pass heat and electricity, making them vital for everything from electronics to cookware.
Nonmetals, though less flashy, are no less important. From the invisible oxygen we breathe to the versatile carbon in plastics, they form the building blocks of life and industry. Their insulating properties and diverse chemical reactions make them invaluable in fields like medicine and energy.
From their contrasting physical appearances to their distinct chemical properties and diverse uses, let’s understand the difference between metals and nonmetals!
What is Metal?
Metals constitute the majority of elements on the periodic table. This category encompasses alkali metals, transition metals, lanthanides, actinides, and alkaline earth metals. A zigzag line, commencing from carbon and extending to radon, serves as the boundary between metals and nonmetals on the periodic table. Phosphorus, selenium, and iodine lie between these two categories.
Elements positioned beyond this line and to the right are classified as nonmetals. Elements immediately to the left of this boundary are referred to as semimetals or metalloids, displaying a combination of both metallic and nonmetallic properties. List of metals in the periodic table –
- Iron (Fe): This abundant metal is essential for construction, transportation, and machinery.
- Aluminum (Al): Lightweight and durable, aluminum shines in aircraft, food packaging, and construction materials.
- Copper (Cu): A fantastic conductor of heat and electricity, copper helps power electrical wiring, plumbing, and cookware.
- Gold (Au): This precious metal adorns jewelry, coins, and even electronics.
- Silver (Ag): Another precious metal, silver gleams in jewelry, coins, and some medical applications.
- Calcium (Ca): Crucial for bones and teeth, calcium can also be found in dairy products and leafy greens.
- Potassium (K): Essential for nerve and muscle function, potassium fuels bananas, potatoes, and avocados.
- Sodium (Na): Maintaining electrolyte balance, sodium adds a punch to table salt and some processed foods.
- Magnesium (Mg): Keeping muscles functioning and energy flowing, magnesium resides in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.
- Zinc (Zn): Helping wounds heal and the immune system function, zinc fortifies meat, seafood, and whole grains.
What is Non-Metal?
Only a limited number of elements on the periodic table fall under the category of non-metals, primarily situated on the right-hand side. Notable non-metals include sulfur, carbon, all halogens, phosphorus, hydrogen, oxygen, selenium, nitrogen, and noble gases.
In the arrangement of the periodic table, non-metals are positioned to the left of the halogens and to the right of the metalloids. It’s worth noting that noble gases and halogens, despite their distinct groupings, also fall within the classification of non-metals. This collective term is often used to encompass elements exhibiting non-metallic characteristics. List of nonmetals in the periodic table –
- Oxygen (O): The breath of life, oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Hydrogen (H): The most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen is also the backbone of water.
- Nitrogen (N): Nurturing plant growth, nitrogen makes up about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Carbon (C): The foundation of all life on Earth, carbon forms the building blocks of living things and everyday materials like wood, plastic, and coal.
- Sulfur (S): This vibrant yellow solid naturally occurs in volcanic gases and hot springs.
- Phosphorus (P): Strengthening bones and teeth, phosphorus also resides in meat, poultry, and fish.
- Chlorine (Cl): A greenish-yellow gas, chlorine keeps water clean and bleaches paper.
- Helium (He): This light and airy gas fills balloons and adds cheer to party favors.
- Neon (Ne): Glowing with a colorful luminescence, neon illuminates eye-catching signs.
- Argon (Ar): Filling incandescent light bulbs, argon shines without burning brightly.
Periodic Table Metals and Nonmetal
On the periodic table, metals and nonmetals are separated by a fascinating line, revealing their contrasting characters! Here’s a breakdown:
Metals in the Periodic Table
- Occupy the left-hand side of the table, except for hydrogen which is a special case.
- Generally have low ionization energies, meaning they readily lose electrons to form cations.
- Exhibit metallic bonding, where delocalized electrons bind the positively charged metal ions together.
- Possess characteristic properties like high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and ductility.
- Examples include iron, copper, aluminum, gold, and potassium.
Nonmetals in the Periodic Table
- Reside on the right-hand side of the table, including hydrogen on the far left.
- Have high ionization energies, meaning they tend to gain electrons to form anions.
- Form covalent bonds, sharing electrons with partner atoms to achieve stable electronic configurations.
- Typically lack metallic properties and are poor conductors, with exceptions like graphite.
- Examples include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, chlorine, and helium.
The “Staircase Line”: A zigzag line running diagonally across the table roughly separates metals and nonmetals. Elements directly on the line or slightly to the left, like boron and silicon, are called metalloids or semi-metals because they exhibit properties of both metals and nonmetals. This line isn’t a strict boundary, but rather a gradient reflecting the gradual change in properties as you move across the table.
Understanding this distribution helps us predict the chemical behavior of elements. Metals will readily react with nonmetals to form ionic compounds, while nonmetals will combine with each other to form covalent molecules.
Differentiate between Metals and Nonmetals
Refer to the table below on difference between metals and nonmetals on the basis of their physical properties. The differences are as follows as
Differnece Between Metals and Nonmetals: Physical Properties
| Physical Properties of Metals and Nonmetals | |
| Metals | Nonmetals |
| Metals are very hard except for sodium. | Non metals are soft except for diamonds. |
| Metals are generally malleable and ductile. | Non metals are generally brittle and can break down into smaller pieces. |
| They are shiny and lustrous. | They are not shiny and are non lustrous except iodine. |
| They are electropositive in nature. | They are electronegative in nature. |
| Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. | Non metals are generally bad conductors of heat and electricity except graphite. |
| They are used in machinery. Example: Copper, silver, gold etc. | They have medicinal and chemical uses. Example: carbon, oxygen, sulphur etc. |
Differnece Between Metals and Nonmetals: Chemical Properties
The chemical properties differ sharply between metals and nonmetals, each with their unique ways of reacting and forming bonds. Let’s explore difference between metals and nonmetals in terms of chemical properties:
| Chemical Properties of Metals and Nonmetals | ||
| Feature | Metals | Nonmetals |
| Electron Configuration | Lose electrons easily (low ionization energy) | Gain electrons easily (high ionization energy) |
| Bonding | Metallic bonding (delocalized electrons) | Covalent bonding (shared electrons) |
| Oxidation State | Typically form cations (+ve charge) | Typically form anions (-ve charge) |
| Reactivity with Oxygen | Form metal oxides (basic or amphoteric) | Form nonmetal oxides (acidic) |
| Reactivity with Acids | React with some acids to form hydrogen gas and a metal salt | Generally unreactive with acids |
| Reactivity with Bases | Generally unreactive with bases | Can react with strong bases to form salts |
| Acting as Reducing Agent | Good reducing agents (donate electrons) | Poor reducing agents (accept electrons) |
| Acting as Oxidizing Agent | Poor oxidizing agents (lose electrons) | Good oxidizing agents (gain electrons) |
Uses of Metals and Nonmetals
Metals are shiny, malleable conductors that make up the framework of our world, from buildings and bridges to cars and planes. Their strength and conductivity also make them crucial for electronics and cooking tools.
Nonmetals, though less flashy, are equally important. From the oxygen we breathe to the nitrogen in fertilizers, they’re essential for life itself. They’re also used in plastics, fuels, and medicine, making them vital for our health and technology.
In short, metals and nonmetals, with their contrasting properties, work together to build our world and keep it going.
FAQs on Difference Between Metals and Nonmetals
What are 5 differences between metal and non-metal?
Metals are generally solid, shiny, good conductors, malleable, and form cations. Non-metals exist in various states, are dull, poor conductors, brittle, and form anions.
What are 10 properties of metals?
Metals have high density, luster, conductivity, malleability, ductility, high melting/boiling points, positive oxidation states, form cations, react with water, and include elements like iron, copper, and gold.
What are 3 differences between metals and non-metals?
Metals are malleable, conductive, and shiny, while non-metals are brittle, poor conductors, and dull.
What are the differences between metals and non-metals Class 8?
Class 8 differences include states at room temperature, conductivity, and appearance; metals are solid and conductive, while non-metals vary in states and are poor conductors.
Is a diamond a metal?
No, diamond is a non-metal; it is a form of carbon with a crystalline structure.
What is a diamond?
A diamond is a crystalline form of carbon, known for its hardness and brilliance. It is a non-metal.
Is helium a metal?
No, helium is a noble gas and not a metal; it is a colorless, inert gas.
Is gold a metal?
Yes, gold is a metal; it is a dense, malleable, and valuable metal
Is mercury a metal?
Yes, mercury is a metal; it is a liquid metal at room temperature.
