Metals vs non-metals
Shiny element that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms basic oxides. are placed on the left-hand side of the periodic table, and Element that is a poor conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms acidic oxides. on the right.
Physical properties
The table summarises some typical The characteristics of something. In chemistry, chemical properties include the reactions a substance can take part in. Physical properties include colour and boiling point. of metals and non-metals.
| Metals | Non-metals |
| Shiny | Dull |
| High melting points | Low melting points |
| Good conductors of electricity | Poor conductors of electricity |
| Good conductors of heat | Poor conductors of heat |
| High density | Low density |
| Malleable | Brittle |
| Metals | Shiny |
|---|---|
| Non-metals | Dull |
| Metals | High melting points |
|---|---|
| Non-metals | Low melting points |
| Metals | Good conductors of electricity |
|---|---|
| Non-metals | Poor conductors of electricity |
| Metals | Good conductors of heat |
|---|---|
| Non-metals | Poor conductors of heat |
| Metals | High density |
|---|---|
| Non-metals | Low density |
| Metals | Malleable |
|---|---|
| Non-metals | Brittle |
Some A substance made of one type of atom only. have properties that are not typical. For example:
- mercury (a metal) has a low The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid as it is heated. and exists as a liquid at room temperature
- graphite, a form of carbon (a non-metal), has a high The temperature at which a substance rapidly changes from a liquid to a gas. and is also a good An electrical conductor is a material which allows an electrical current to pass through it easily. It has a low resistance. of electricity
A substance with a high A measure of compactness and the ratio of mass to volume. It is usually measured in kilograms per metre cubed (kg/m3) or grams per centimetre cubed (g/cm3). means it has a high mass for its size.
Capable of being hammered or pressed into a new shape without being likely to break or return to the original shape. substances can be bent or hammered into shape without shattering, while If something is brittle it is easily broken. substances shatter when bent or hit.
A ductile material is capable of being drawn into thin sheets or wires without breaking. means that a substance can be drawn out into a long wire without snapping or breaking.
Metallic structure and bonding
In metals, the Subatomic particle, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to protons and neutrons. leave the outer shells of metal The smallest part of an element that can exist., forming positive metal Electrically charged particle, formed when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons. and a 'sea' of Electrons that are not associated with a particular atom, eg in a metal, outer electrons can be free to move through the solid. electrons. The structure of a solid metal consists of closely packed metal ions, arranged in a regular way to form a metallic A regular grid-like arrangement of atoms in a material. structure.
Metallic bonding is the strong A force of attraction between particles with opposite charges. of attraction between the metal ions and the delocalised electrons.
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Explaining metal properties
Malleability
Metals are malleable because layers of ions can slide over each other when a force is applied. Metallic bonding allows the metal to change shape without shattering.
Conduction of electricity
When a The potential difference across a cell, electrical supply or electrical component. It is measured in volts (V). is applied to a metal, the delocalised electrons travel through the lattice structure. The movement of these An imbalance of electrons and protons in a material. An excess of electrons results in negative charge, a deficit of electrons results in positive charge. A general term for a small piece of matter. For example, protons, neutrons, electrons, atoms, ions or molecules. forms an The movement of electrically charged particles, for example, electrons moving through a wire or ions moving through a solution..
More guides on this topic
- Formulae and equations - Edexcel
- Hazards and risks - Edexcel
- Atomic structure - Edexcel
- The periodic table - Edexcel
- Ionic compounds - Edexcel
- Simple molecular substances - Edexcel
- Giant covalent substances - Edexcel
- Calculations for all students - Edexcel
- Higher tier only calculations - Edexcel
- Sample exam questions - key concepts in chemistry - Edexcel