Metals and Non-metals

Elements are divided mainly into two groups on the basis of physical and chemical
properties Metal and Non-metal.

Metals: Part - I
Physical Properties of Metals: Hardness:- Most of the metals are hard, except alkali metals, such as sodium,
potassium, lithium, etc. Sodium, potassium, lithium etc. are very soft metals,
these can be cut using knife.

Strength:- Most of the metals are strong and have high tensile strength.
Because of this big structures are made using metals, such as copper and
iron.

State:- Metals are solid at room temperature except mercury.

Lusture:- Metals are lustrous i.e. they are shiny in appearance. This is the
cause that metals like gold, silver and platinum are used to make jewellery.

Sound:- Metals produce ringing sound, so, metals are called sonorous. Sound
of metals is also known as metallic sound. This is the cause that metal wires
are used in making musical instruments.

Conduction:- Metals are good conductor of heat and electricity. This is the
cause that electric wires are made of metals like copper and aluminium.

Malleability:- Metals are malleable. This means metals can be beaten into thin
sheet. Because of this property iron is used in making big ships.

Ductility:- Metals are ductile. This means metals can be drawn into thin wire.
Because of this property wires are made of metals.

Melting and boiling point:- Metals have generally high melting and boiling
points.

Density:- Most of the metals have high density.

Color:- Most of the metals are grey in color. But gold and copper are
exceptions.
Chemical Properties of Metals: Part-I
Reaction with oxygen:Most of the metals form respective metal oxides when react with oxygen.
Examples:
(1) Reaction of potassium with oxygen:- Potassium metal forms potassium oxide
when reacts with oxygen.

(2) Reaction of sodium with oxygen:- Sodium metal forms sodium oxide when reacts
with oxygen.

Lithium, potassium, sodium, etc. are known as alkali metals. Alkali metals react
vigorously with oxygen.
(3) Reaction of magnesium metal with oxygen:- Magnesium metal gives magnesium
oxide when reacts with oxygen. Magnesium burnt with dazzling light in air and
produces lot of heat.

(4) Reaction of aluminium metal with oxygen: Aliminium metal does not react with
oxygen at room temperature but it gives aluminium oxide when burnt in air.

(5) Reaction of zinc metal with oxygen: Zinc does not react with oxygen at room
temperature. But it gives zinc oxide when heated strongly in air.

(6) Reaction of Iron metal with oxygen: Iron does not react with oxygen at room
temperature. But when iron is heated strongly in air, it gives iron oxide.

Iron fillings give sprinkle in flame when burnt.

(7) Reaction of copper metal with oxygen: Copper does not react with oxygen at
room temperature but when burnt in air, it gives copper oxide.

Reaction of metals with water:

Metals form respective metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas when react with water.
All metals do not react with water. Alkali metals react vigorously with water.
Examples:
(1) Reaction of sodium metal with water: Sodium metal forms sodium hydroxide and
liberates hydrogen gas along with lot of heat when reacts with water.

(2) Reaction of potassium metal with water: Potassium metal forms potassium
hydroxide and liberates hydrogen gas along with lot of heat when reacts with water.

(3) Reaction of calcium metal with water: Calcium forms calcium hydroxide along
with hydrogen gas and heat when reacts with water.

(4) Reaction of magnesium metal with water: Magnesium metal reacts with water
slowly and forms magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

When steam is passed over magnesium metal, magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas
are formed.

(5) Reaction of aluminium metal with water: Reaction of aluminium metal with cold
water is too slow to come into notice. But when steam is passed over aluminium
metal; aluminium oxide and hydrogen gas are produced.

(6) Reaction of zinc metal with water: Zinc metal produces zinc oxide and hydrogen
gas when steam is passed over it. Zinc does not react with cold water.

(7) Reaction of Iron with water: Reaction of iron with cold water is very slow and
come into notice after a long time. Iron forms rust (iron oxide) when reacts with
moisture present in atmosphere.
Iron oxide and hydrogen gas are formed by passing of steam over iron metal.

Other metals usually do not react with water or react very slowly.
Science CBSE

Metals and Non-metals

Non-Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical properties of non-metals
Hardness: Non-metals are not hard rather they are generally soft. But
diamond is exception; it is most hard naturally occurring substance.

State:- Non-metals may be solid, liquid or gas.

Luster:- Non-metals has dull appearance. Diamond and iodine are exceptions.

Sound:- Non-metals do not produce ringing sound.

Conduction:- Non-metals are bad conductor of heat and electricity. Graphite

which is allotrope of carbon is good conductor of electricity, it is an exception.

Malleability and ductility:- Non-metals are brittle.

Melting and boiling point:- Non-metals have generally low melting and boiling
points.

Density:- Most of the non-metals have low density.

 Color:- Non-metals are of many colors.

Chemical properties of Non-metals
Reaction of non-metals with oxygen:- Non-metals form respective oxide when react
with oxygen.
Example:(1) When carbon reacts with oxygen, carbon dioxide is formed along with production
of heat.

(2) When carbon is burnt in insufficient supply of air, it forms carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic substance. Inhaling of carbon monoxide may prove fatal.

(3) Sulphur gives sulphur dioxide when react with oxygen. Sulphur caught fire when
exposed to air.

(3) When hydrogen reacts with oxygen it gives water.

Non-metal oxide:Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature. Solution of non-metal oxides turns blue litmus
red.
Carbon dioxide gives carbonic acid when dissolved in water.

Sulphur dioxide gives sulphurous acid when dissolved in water.

Sulphur dioxide gives sulphur trioxide when reacts with oxygen.

Sulphur trioxide gives sulphuric acid when dissolved in water.

Reaction of non-metal with chlorine:

Non metals give respective chloride when react with chlorine gas.
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Example:
Hydrogen gives hydrogen chloride and phosphorous gives phosphorous trichloride
when react with chlorine.