2.4.7

Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

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Metals and Non-Metals

The elements of the periodic table can be metals or non-metals. There are more metals than non-metals. 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.
    • Metals commonly react with oxygen to form oxides.
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.
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.
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