Physical Properties of
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
Introduction: (Summarize)
The sections of the periodic table reflect the electron configurations of the elements and the sublevels
occupied by the electrons. It is the electron configuration of the atom that determines its chemical reactivity.
An element’s position in the periodic table is directly related to the size of the element’s atoms. The size of the
atoms increases as you go down each column and decreases as you go from left to right. Elements whose atoms
have identical arrangements of electrons in their highest energy levels have similar properties and make up a
family of elements in the periodic table (vertical columns).
Purpose: (Copy)
The student will investigate and determine the physical attributes of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.
Materials/Equipment: (Copy)
Chemicals
Aluminum
Carbon
Copper
Magnesium
Silicon
Sulfur
Tin
Zinc
Equipment
2 plastic pipets
Hammer or other hard, solid object
Nail
Pencil or pen
Periodic table
Well plate grid sheet
forceps, 2 small beakers for waste
24 cell well plate
conductivity apparatus
Safety: (Copy)
1. Always wear safety glasses in the chemistry lab
2. Never eat or drink in the chemistry lab
3. Hydrochloric acid solution is corrosive to eyes and skin.
4. Cupric chloride solution is toxic if ingested.
5. Avoid contact of all chemicals with eyes and all body tissues.
Prelab: (Copy & Complete;)
1. Using a periodic table, determine the chemical symbol for each of the eight elements to be tested. Fill in
the chemical symbol for each element on the data table.
2. Get a piece of notebook paper. Using a pencil or pen to draw lines, divide the paper into eight squares
(four squares across, two down.). Label each square with the chemical symbol of one of the eight
elements to be tested. Bring to lab.
Procedure: (Summarize)
1. Obtain a well plate and well plate data sheet. (If you place the well plate on top of the data sheet, you
will see that they “fit”) You will be testing each element in cupric chloride solution AND hydrochloric
acid solution in the well plates. On the well plate data sheet, label two squares with each chemical
symbol of the elements to be tested. There are a total of 8 elements, so you will have 16 squares labeled.
2. Take the well plate and well plate data sheet to the chemical table and place a small piece of the
appropriate element in each labeled well. (NOTE: Do not touch any of the elements with your hands.
Use forceps to obtain each sample.)
3. At your lab station, remove one sample of each element and place it on the sheet of notebook paper in
the properly labeled square.
ASIM Physical Properties of Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
Revised: 6/06
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Part 1—Physical Properties
4. Observe and record the color of each element in the Data Table. Is the sample silver, gray, colored,
etc…? Be very specific in recording observations.
5. Observe and record the luster of each element in the Data Table. Is the sample lustrous and shiny,
slightly shiny, dull?
6. Record any other physical properties that are observed about each element in the Data Table. Be
specific in your observations. What form is the sample in? 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 from the
sample toward your nose.)
7. Determine whether each element is malleable or brittle. To do this, position a nail on the sample and
gently tap the nail with a hard, solid object (hammer, piece of wood, small book) A material is malleable
if it flattens or bends without shattering. A sample is brittle if it shatters or cracks into pieces when
struck. Record your results in the Data Table.
Scale
Red LED Green LED
Conductivity
0
Off
Off
Low or None
1
Dim
Off
Low
2
Medium
Off
Medium
3
Bright
Dim
High
4
Very
Bright
Medium
Very high
8. Use the conductivity apparatus to test the conductivity of each sample. Turn the conductivity apparatus
on. Touch both electrodes to the element being tested, being sure the electrodes are not touching each
other.
ASIM Physical Properties of Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
Revised: 6/06
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(Cut and Paste Data Table into Notebook)
Conductivity
Malleable or
Brittle?
Other
Characteristics
Luster
Color
Sample
Element
Symbol
Data Table: Physical Properties
Aluminum
Carbon
Copper
Magnesium
Silicon
Sulfur
Tin
Zinc
ASIM Physical Properties of Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
Revised: 6/06
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Analysis:
1. Review the data gathered for the eight elements. Sort the eight elements into groups, based on
similarities and differences in their physical. Using this information plus information from your book,
classify each group as metal, nonmetal, or metalloid.
2. Are there any inconsistencies within the groups you made? Do any elements seem to have properties of
both groups? Which? Explain.
3. Look at the location on the periodic table of each of the eight elements tested in this lab. How do the
properties of these elements compare to their general position on the periodic table? Make
generalizations about the position of the metals, nonmetals, and metalloids on the periodic table.
4. Predict the physical properties of the following elements which were not tested in this lab—selenium,
calcium, and cobalt.
Extension Questions:
1. Given the following melting point data, are there any generalizations you can make about the melting
points of metals versus nonmetals? Are there any exceptions? Explain.
Aluminum
Carbon
Copper
Iodine
Magnesium
Silicon
Sulfur
Zinc
6600 C
36520 C
10630 C
1140 C
6490 C
14100 C
1130 C
4200C
ASIM Physical Properties of Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
Revised: 6/06
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