Question

Differentiate between metals and nonmetals on the basis of their physical properties.

Answer 1

Hint : Elements can be divided into metals and non-metals on the basis of certain physical properties such as malleability, ductility, etc.

Complete Step By Step Answer:

Metals	Non-metals
1. Ductility: Metals can be converted into wires by stretching and hence they are ductile.	1. Non-metals are not ductile.
2. Malleable: Metals can be converted into thin sheets by hammering; thus, they are malleable.	2. Non-metals are non-malleable.
3. Conduction: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.	3. Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity.
4. Luster: Metals are lustrous.Example- gold, silver, aluminium	4. Non-metals are non-lustrous.(Except- Iodine, which is a lustrous non-metal)
5. Sonorous: Metals are sonorous i.e., it produces sound when struck with other hard metals.	5. Non-metals are non-sonorous.
6. Tensile strength: Metals have high tensile strength. (except sodium and potassium)	6. Non metals have low tensile strength.
7. Physical state: Metals are solid at room temperature. (except – mercury, which is a liquid)	7. Non-metals may be solids, liquids, or gases at room temperature.
8. Density: Metals have high density.	8. Non-metals have low density.
9. Melting point: Metals generally have a high melting point except for gallium and caesium which have low melting points.	9. Non-metals have a low melting point.(Except – Diamond and graphite which have high melting point)

Note :
Metals are good conductors of heat and therefore, it is used to make cooking utensils. Aluminium, which is a metal, is used to produce electrical cables. Non-metals like nitrogen are used in fertilizers.