Name ________________________________________________ Per _________ Date ______________________
Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid? Lab
Focus Question: Will we be able to classify an element as a metal or a nonmetal based on its physical and chemical
properties alone?
Introduction: Elements can be classified in several ways, according to the similarities and differences in their properties.
Two major classes of elements are metals and nonmetals. Everyday experience has given you some knowledge of
metallic and nonmetallic properties.
BACKGROUND
Part 1: Physical Properties
In this activity you will investigate properties of seven elements in order to classify them as metals, nonmetals or
metalloids. You will examine each for its physical properties of color, luster (is it shiny or dull), and form (for example,
is it crystalline, like table salt?). You will attempt to crush each sample with a hammer. This way you can decide
whether each element is malleable (flattens without shattering when struck) or brittle (shatters into pieces). You may
also test for electrical conductivity, a physical property.
Part 2: Chemical Properties
Next, you will observe differences among these elements’ chemical properties. You will find out whether each element
reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.
PRE-LAB
1. What is your predicted answer to the focus question? Be sure to explain the reasons for your prediction here.
2. What are the properties of metals, metalloids (aka semimetals), and nonmetals?
3. What is a physical property? What is a chemical property?
MATERIALS
Element samples
Well plate
Bolt
Conductivity tester
1 M HCl
PROCEDURE
Physical Properties
1. Physical Properties: List at least three Physical Properties (color, luster, odor, shape, etc.) for each element.
Color: Is the sample silver, gray, colored, etc...?
Luster: Is the sample lustrous and shiny, slightly shiny, dull? Be very specific in recording physical observations.
Other physical properties: Is the sample solid or liquid? Is the sample crystalline, flaky, rough, smooth, flat and
plate-like, rocky, in strips? Is there any odor or are any vapors given off? (Note: Avoid breathing any vapors
directly. Instead of smelling a sample directly, waft the vapors form the sample toward our nose.)
2. Conductivity:
Use the conductivity apparatus to test the sample. Touch both electrodes to the element sample, but do NOT
allow the electrodes to touch each other. If the bulb lights up, the sample has allowed electricity to flow through it.
This is called a conductor. If the bulb does NOT light up, the material is a nonconductor.
3. Crushing:
Chemical Properties
(Note: Evidence for a chemical reaction may be the formation of gas bubbles and/or discoloration on the surface of the element.
4. HCl (Hydrochloric Acid):
Determine the reactivity with acid of each sample by adding 3-5 drops of 1 M hydrochloric acid to each well plate.
Observe for approximately 3-5 minutes and record results in the Data Table.
DATA TABLE
Element
Color
Luster
Other Physical
Properties
Conducts
Electricity?
(shape, form, etc.)
(yes/no)
Malleable or
Brittle?
Reaction with HCl
Type of Element
(Metal, Nonmetal, Metalloid)
1. Aluminum
2. Carbon
3. Copper
4. Magnesium
5. Silicon
6. Sulfur
7. Tin
8. Zinc
ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Answer in complete sentences on a separate piece of paper.
1. Classify each property tested as a physical property or a chemical property.
Appearance:
Conductivity:
Crushing:
Reactivity with acid:
2. Review the data gathered for the eight elements. Sort the eight elements into groups based on similarities and differences in their physical and chemical
properties. From the information provided in the background reading, classify each element as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.
3. Are there any inconsistencies within the groups you made? Which element or elements could fit into either group? Explain.
4. Predict the physical and chemical properties of the following elements which were not tested in this lab. Selenium, calcium, cobalt
5. Were you able to easily distinguish each element sample as a metal or a nonmetal? Provide evidence to support your conclusion.
6. What procedures in this investigation could lead to errors? How would each error affect your data?
© 2000 Flinn Scientific, Inc. Catalog No AP5935