What is the Difference Between Metals and Non-Metals?

What is a Metal?

Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides are all metals. Metals and nonmetals are separated on the periodic table by a zig-zag line that passes through carbon, phosphorus, selenium, iodine, and radon. Metals are hard substances having heat and electrical conductivity qualities (except tungsten). Polishing these materials generates a reflective surface since they are naturally glossy. Metals are often found in solid form, with the exception of mercury, which is found in liquid form.

Because they may easily be turned into thin sheets, metals are malleable. Metals can also be made into thin, long wires, displaying their ductility. Copper, Iron, Silver, Gold, Aluminium, Lead, Magnesium, Sodium, and other metals are examples of metals. 

Properties of Metals

The chemical and physical properties of metals are provided below.

• Metals are shiny, and polishing them creates a mirror-like finish.
• Good heat and electricity conductors.
• They can very quickly lose electrons when forming bonds.
• Metal oxides are fundamental in nature, and metals have lower electronegativities.
• Metals are often effective reducers.
• Metals may be hammered into thin sheets and are malleable.
• Metals are also ductile and can be pulled into wires.
• Nothing can see through metals since they might be as opaque as a thin sheet.
• When struck, metals produce a sonorous or bell-like sound.

What is a Non-Metal?

Non-metals are elements on the right side of the periodic table. Gases, liquids, and solids are all examples of non-metals. Metals are shiny, whereas non-metals are drab. A non-metal cannot be hammered or shaped; if struck, it would shatter. Nonmetals have a tendency for receiving electrons since their outermost shell has four, five, six, or seven electrons. 

The melting and boiling points of these elements are extremely high. Nonmetals, such as silicon and carbon, on the other hand, have high melting and boiling points. Nonmetals do not react with the acid in general, but they do react swiftly with air and are considered excellent oxidising agents. Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, Sulphur, Chlorine, Iodine, Hydrogen, Phosphorus, etc. are non-metals.

Properties of Non-Metals

The chemical and physical properties of non-metals are provided below.

• They are poor heat and electricity conductors.
• At room temperature, they could be solids, liquids, or gases.
• Non-Metals are good oxidizing agents. 
• They are transparent as a thin sheet
• Nonmetals are non-sonorous.
• In their outer shell, they usually have 4-8 electrons.
• They can gain or share valence electrons with ease.
• Non-Metals have high electronegativities.

What is the Difference between Metals and Non-Metals?

We have provided the difference between metals and non-metals in the table below.