Topic #2: Elements, Compounds, & Chemical Reactions
III. The Metals

There are 85 elements classified as METALS.
o The metals are located on the left side of the periodic table.
o The metals make up the majority of the elements.
o The metals are shiny, reflect light, and are good conductors of heat
and electricity.
o Gold and Silver are the best conductors, but Aluminum and Copper
work just as well and are less expensive.
IV. The Non-Metals

There are 10 elements classified as NON-METALS.
o The non-metals are located on the right side of the periodic table.
o The non-metals have little or no luster and are usually dull in color.
o The non-metals are brittle and are poor conductors of heat and
electricity.
o Many non-metals are gases at room temperature.
V. The Metalloids

There are 8 elements classified as METALLOIDS.
o The metalloids are located along the zigzag line on the right side of
the periodic table.
o These elements have BOTH metal and non-metal properties.
o The metalloids are mostly dull gray solids that are not good
conductors of heat or electricity.
Topic #2: Elements, Compounds, & Chemical Reactions
VI. The Noble Gases (Inert Gases)

There are 6 elements classified as NOBLE GASES.
o The noble gases are located on the extreme right side of the periodic
table.
 The noble gases are in Group 18.
o All noble gases have the maximum number of electrons in their outer
energy level (usually 8, except Helium which has just 2).
 This condition makes them very stable atoms.
 For this reason, they don’t usually combine with other elements
to form compounds.