TEKS 6.6A: Compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids using physical properties such as luster,
conductivity, and malleability.
How Are Elements Classified?
• Scientists classify elements into groups based on their
properties.
• A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can
be observed without changing the substance into another
substance. Color, hardness, and shine (or luster) are examples.
• An element’s chemical properties determine how the element
combines with others to form compounds. Burning, tarnishing,
and rusting are examples.
(contd.)
TEKS 6.6A: Compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids using physical properties such as luster,
conductivity, and malleability.
• Scientists have organized the elements according to their
properties into the periodic table.
• Three groups of elements are metals, nonmetals, and
metalloids. Elements on the left side of table, except hydrogen,
are metals. Elements on the right side of the table are
nonmetals. The metalloids are along each side of the zigzag line
between the metals and nonmetals.
TEKS 6.6A: Compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids using physical properties such as luster,
conductivity, and malleability.
What Are The Physical Properties
of Metals?
• Metals are often shiny, malleable, ductile, and can conduct
electricity.
• A malleable material is one that can be rolled into flat sheets.
• A ductile material is one that can be pulled out into a long wire.
• Conductivity is the ability of an object to transfer heat or
electricity to another object. Most metals are good conductors.
• Most metals are solid at room temperature.
1. Explain What is conductivity?
TEKS 6.6A: Compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids using physical properties such as luster,
conductivity, and malleability.
What Are The Physical Properties
of Nonmetals?
• In general, the physical properties of nonmetals are the
opposite of those of metals.
• Solid nonmetals are dull, meaning not shiny. They are brittle,
meaning not malleable or ductile.
• Nonmetals are poor conductors of electricity.
• Ten of the 16 nonmetals are gases at room temperature.
2. Form Operational Definitions Based on the characteristics listed above, how
would you define a nonmetal?
TEKS 6.6A: Compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids using physical properties such as luster,
conductivity, and malleability.
What Are The Physical Properties
of Metalloids?
• The metalloids have some characteristics of both metals and
nonmetals.
• Metalloids are solid at room temperature.
• Metalloids are brittle and hard.
• Metalloids vary in how well they conduct electricity.
3. Compare Which properties of metalloids are similar to those of metals?
Which are similar to those of nonmetals?