Practice 5.1: ​Classifying Elements Based on Properties
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Hour: ________ Date: _________
Instructions​ → ​Below you will find a summary of some common properties of different types of elements that can be found on the
periodic table. Use these properties to try to classify each unknown element below first as a m
​ etal, non-metal, or metalloid​. Then, if it is a
metal or a non-metal, try to further classify the element as an ​alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, or a noble gas​. Finally,
predict an an additional property for that element​.
Metals
Solid, Lustrous, Malleable & Ductile, Reactive w/ acids,
Conducts Electricity & Heat
Solid Non-Metals
Dull, Brittle, Non-reactive w/acids, Poor Conductors of
Electricity & Heat
Alkali Metals
Group 1(A)
Soft solid, easily oxidized,
extremely reactive (especially
with water), silver in
appearance, low density, very
low melting points
Halogens
Group 17 (7A)
Extremely reactive, liquid or
gaseous at room temperature,
colorful generally (not
silver/gray), very low melting
points, often toxic in is
elemental state
Alkaline Earth Metals
Group 2(A)
Lustrous solid, silver-white in
appearance, highly reactive,
relatively low melting points,
Noble Gases
Group 18 (8A)
Extremely inert (non-reactive),
gaseous at room temperature
Transition Metals
Groups 3-12
Form colorful compounds,
moderately reactive (less so
than Group 1A or 2A metals),
high density, high melting
points
Metalloids :​ Exhibit a combination of properties typical of metals & non-metals
1.
Mystery Element A​: This element is a gas at room temperature. It is used in light bulbs and for storage of
highly reactive metals due to its inert behavior.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Justify your classification.
2. Mystery Element Q​: This element will react with acids, is a poor conductor of heat & electricity, is lustrous,
and is brittle.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Justify your classification.
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
3. Mystery Element X​: T
​ his element forms compounds that turn solutions blue. It is reactive with acids, but less
reactive than elements like sodium (Na) or calcium (Ca). This element is fairly dense and is an excellent conductor of
heat & electricity.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Justify your classification.
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
4. Mystery Element T​: ​This element is extremely reactive and can be cut into smaller pieces using a butter knife. When
introduced to water, this element will react violently. It is silver & lustrous in appearance.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Justify your classification.
5. Mystery Element M​: This element is a liquid at room temperature. It is highly reactive and relatively toxic in
its elemental state.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Justify your classification.
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
6. Mystery Element Z​: This element is fairly reactive, but less reactive than elements like lithium (Li),
potassium (K), rubidium (Rb). It is silver-white and lustrous in appearance. It is a good conductor.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Justify your classification.
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
7. Mystery Element G​: This element is the most dense element known to man. It has an extremely high
melting point. This element can form compounds with oxygen that are yellow in appearance.
Metal, Non-Metal, or
Metalloid?
Alkali Metal, Alkaline Earth
Metal, Transition Metal,
Halogen, or Noble Gas?
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Predict a Property​:
Write N/A if it is a metalloid
Justify your classification.