4.1.3

Metals & Non-Metals

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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