If you don’t have any idea about the characteristics of metals and non-metals, it is difficult for you to understand the difference between them. Usually, metals are solid because they are hard, lustrous and opaque. On the other hand, non-metals can be solids or gasses. In these materials, the metallic properties are absent. Therefore, if we want to differentiate between them, we should know their characteristics. Here, we will discuss the difference between metals and non-metals.
Definition of Metals
Metals are opaque and lustrous
elements that can conduct heat and electricity. The metals are ductile and
malleable. Moreover, metals are also denser than other elements.
Properties of Metals
There are
various physical and chemical properties of the metals. Here, we will discuss
the most important physical and chemical properties of the metals.
Physical Properties of Metals
1.
The
metals are lustrous. It means that metals have shiny nature.
2.
Metals
are the good conductors of the heat and electricity.
3.
The
melting points, boiling points and density of the metals are high.
4.
All
the metals are moldable or malleable.
5.
They
have the quality of ductile.
6.
Almost
all the metals are in the solid form at the room temperature. Anyhow, Mercury
can’t exist in the solid form at the room temperature.
Chemical Properties of Metals
Along with
physical properties, metals have also some chemical properties. Here, we will
discuss the chemical properties of the metals.
1.
As
metals are good conductors of electricity. That’s why they can easily lose
electrons.
2.
The
metals can also easily corrodible.
3.
They
have the chemical property to form the basic oxides.
4.
All
the metals have low electronegativities.
5.
They
are the good reducing agents.
Properties of Non-Metals
Physical Properties
They have
also some physical properties. Here, we will discuss the most important physical
properties.
1.
All
them are the poor conductors of heat and electricity.
2.
They
are also non-ductile.
3.
They
are the brittle solids.
4.
At
the room temperature, they can exist in all three forms (Solid, Liquid and Gas)
of matter.
5.
They
are transparent.
6.
Metals
are not sonorous.
Chemical Properties
1.
In
their outermost shells, there are 4 to 8 electrons.
2.
They
can lose or gain electrons easily.
3.
When
they contact with Oxygen, they form the acidic oxides.
4.
All
of them are the high electronegative elements.
5.
They
are the great oxidizing agents.
Definition of Non-Metals
Non-Metals are those elements which
don’t have characteristics of metals. They have low melting and boiling points.
These elements are less dense than metals.
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Difference between Metals and Non-Metals
There are differences between them.
Here, we will discuss the most important differences.
1. Difference between Meanings of Metals and Non-Metals
There is a specific difference between
their meanings. Metals are such elements that are hard, shiny and dense. On the
other hand, non-metals are soft, non-shiny and brittle.
2. Difference between Nature of Metals and Non-Metals
The nature of the metals is electropositive. On
the other hand, the nature of other materials is electronegative.
3. Difference between Structures of Metals and Non-Metals
The structure of the metals is
crystalline. It means that metals can form a crystal lattice that extends in
all directions. On the other hand, the structure of other materials is amorphic.
It means that they don’t have any defined shape.
4. Physical state
Most of the metals are solids whereas
non-metals can be solid or liquid. It means that metals are solids at the room
temperature. On the other hand, other materials can be solid or liquid at the
room temperature.
5. Place in the Periodic Table
There is also a difference between
their places in the periodic table. In the periodic table, metals are placed on
the left side. On the other hand, non-metals are placed on the right side.
6. Density
Density means that mass per unit area.
The density of the metals is very high. On the other hand, the density of the
non-metals is very low.
7. Conduction
Metals are good conductors of
electricity and heat. Therefore, we can say that all the metals are conductors.
On the other hand, other materials are not good conductors of electricity and
heat. Therefore, we can also say that they are insulators.
8. Melting and boiling points
The melting and boiling points of
metals are very high. It means that if we want to melt or boil a metal, we have
to provide enough heat to it. On the other hand, other materials have low
melting and boiling points. It means that we can easily melt and boil them.
9. Location of the Metals and Non-Metals in the Blocks
Metals are located in s, p, d and f
blocks. On the other hand, non-metals are located in s and p blocks.
10. Ductility and Malleability
Another main difference between them
is that metals show ductility and malleability. On the other hand, non-metals
don’t show these kinds of properties.
11. Electrons
As we know that conduct heat and
electricity, there require free electrons. Metals have 1 to 3 electrons in
their outer shell. Therefore, these electrons can easily free themselves. As a
result, metals can easily conduct heat and electricity. On the other hand,
non-metals have 4 to 8 free electrons. It means that there are no chances of
free electrons in them. That’s why they are not good conductors of heat and
electricity.
12. Transparency
All the metals are opaque. On the
other hand, all the non-metals are transparent.
13. Reaction with Oxygen
When we react them with oxygen, we see
different kinds of reactions. After reacting with oxygen, metals form basic
oxides. On the other hand, when non-metals react with oxygen, they form acidic
oxides.
14. Reaction with Acids
When metals react with acids, it
produces Hydrogen gas. On the other hand, we can observe that non-metals don’t
react with acids.
15. Examples of Metals and Non-Metals
Some essential examples of metals are
Lithium and Barium etc. On the other hand, examples of other materials are
iodine and Bromine etc.
As we know that Oxygen is a non-metal. It is essential for our life because we have to inhale it during breathing. Liquid Hydrogen is also a non-metal. We can use this non-metal as fuel. We can use it to start the rocket.
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