Question

Differentiate between metal and non-metal on the basis of their chemical properties.

Answer 1

Metal	Non-metal
Metals are electropositive.	Non-metals are electronegative.
They react with oxygen to form basic oxides.
$4Na + O_2 → 2Na_2O$
$C + O_2 → CO_2$	They react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides.
These have ionic bonds.	These have covalent bonds.
They react with water to form oxides and hydroxides. Some metals react with cold water, some with hot water, and some with steam.
$2Na + 2H_2O → 2NaOH + H_2↑$	They do not react with water.
They react with dilute acids to form a salt and evolve hydrogen gas. However, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Hg do not react.
$2Na + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H_2↑$	They do not react with dilute acids. These are not capable of replacing hydrogen.
They react with the salt solution of metals. Depending on their reactivity, displacement reaction can occur.
$CuSO_4 + Zn → ZnSO_4 + Cu$	These react with the salt solution of non-metals.
They act as reducing agents (as they can easily lose electrons).
$CI_2 + 2e^- → 2CI^-$	These act as oxidising agents (as they can gain electrons).
$Na → Na^+ + e^-$