Metals, Nonmetals
and Metalloids
Coloring in the Periodic Table
Notice the difference between the appearance of the
metals and nonmetals.
Click here for a better view of each of the elements.
Physical properties of METALS
• Metals are SOLIDS at room temperature.
(except mercury)
• Metals are HARD.
(except Lithium, Potassium, Sodium)
Physical Properties of METALS
Metals are shiny. (Have “luster”)
LUSTER – the way an object’s surface
reflects light
When you leave a spoon in a cup of hot drink, the bit
poking out of the drink gets hot. Why? Conduction!
METALS are the best conductors of heat.
This is because the electrons in metals move more freely than
in non-metals, allowing the heat energy to travel across the
metal.
For example, when the spoon touches the hot drink, the heat
from the drink excites the electrons in the metal, and the
electrons transfer the energy from one electron to another,
carrying the heat all the way up the spoon quickly.
Best conductors:
silver and copper
Physical Properties of METALS
• Metals are good conductors of electricity.
Copper, silver, and gold are good electrical
conductors. In a conductor, electric current
can flow freely. Since metals have free
electrons, they can carry a charge easily.
Copper Wiring
Physical Properties of METALS
Metals are malleable (bendable).
Ex. Aluminum Foil
Physical Properties of METALS
Metals are ductile.
Ductility or ductile – can be drawn
(pulled) into a wire
NONMETALS
To the right on the PT (except Hydrogen)
Non metals may be solids, liquids or gases.
Examples:
Solids – Carbon, Sulfur, Phosphorus
Liquid – Bromine
Gases – Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
Physical Properties of
NONMETALS
Nonmetals have a dull luster.
(They are not shiny!)
Example: Phosphorus
Physical Properties of NONMETALS
Nonmetals are insulators.
They do not conduct electricity or
heat well.
The atoms in nonmetals do not have
loose electrons. Therefore, when
electricity, or something hot touches a
non-metal, the energy does not move
quickly through the material.
What would you rather stir a hot pot
with—a wooden spoon or a metal spoon?
Physical Properties of
NONMETALS
Nonmetals are soft and brittle (fragile).
Example: Sulfur
An interesting element: Carbon
Ever break the point of your
pencil? That’s because it’s
made of graphite, a substance
made up completely of
Carbon—a brittle nonmetal.
However diamonds, the hardest
material of all, are made of the
same element: Carbon. Look at
how the carbon atoms are
arranged in diamonds—why do
you think diamonds are harder
than graphite?
Carbon
atoms in
graphite
METALLOIDS
Metalloids are found along the stairstep.
METALLOIDS
• Elements classified as Metalloids have physical
properties of both metals and non-metals.
• Some are shiny, some are dull, they are
somewhat malleable and ductile, and can
conduct heat and electricity at a lesser level than
metals.
SILICON
BORON
ARSENIC
METALLOIDS
• Some metalloids are useful semiconductors,
which are used in electronics (radio, computer
chips, telephones, etc.)
• They are useful because they conduct just the
right amount of electricity or heat.