4.1.3

Metals & Non-Metals

Test yourself on Metals & Non-Metals

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Metals and Non-Metals

The elements in the periodic table can be roughly divided into metals and non-metals. There are more metals than non-metals in the periodic table. In the periodic table below, metals are red and non-metals are green.

Metals

Metals

  • Metals are found on the left of the periodic table because they have few electrons in their outer shell.
  • When metals react, they lose 1 or more of these negatively charged electrons to form positively charged ions.
Properties of metals

Properties of metals

  • Metals have high melting and boiling points.
  • Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.
  • Metals are all solids (except for mercury) at room temperature.
  • Metals form metal oxides when they react with oxygen. Metal oxides are alkaline.
Non-metals

Non-metals

  • Non-metals are found on the right of the periodic table because they have many electrons in their outer shell.
  • When non-metals react, they either:
    • Gain electrons to form negatively charged ions.
    • Or share electrons to form neutral molecules.
Properties of non-metals

Properties of non-metals

  • Non-metals have lower melting and boiling points than metals.
  • Non-metals are often found as gases.
  • Non-metals generally do NOT conduct heat or electricity.
  • Non-metals form non-metal oxides when they react with oxygen. Non-metal oxides are acidic.
Jump to other topics
1

States of Matter

2

Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3

Atomic Structure

4

The Periodic Table

5

Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6

Bonding

7

Electrolysis

8

Groups of the Periodic Table

9

The Atmosphere

10

Reactivity Series

11

Metal Extraction

12

Acids & Alkalis

13

Chemical Tests

14

Physical Chemistry

15

Organic Chemistry

Practice questions on Metals & Non-Metals

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
Answer all questions on Metals & Non-Metals

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium