Question

What happens when metals react with non-metals?

Answer 1

Metals are easily distinguished from non-metals only by observing their physical properties.In general metals are harder than non-metals. But both also vary in their chemical properties and give different products.

Complete answer:
Metals and nonmetals show different properties during reaction, but both undergo chemical reactions to attain the noble gas configuration and produce stable compounds.
Let’s take the chemical reaction between a metal like sodium and a nonmetal like chlorine.
When we see the electronic configuration of sodium $1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^6}3{s^1}$
We see that sodium has one electron in its outermost shell and when sodium loses its one valence electron it attains the stable configuration of noble gas Neon $1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^6}$.
$Na \to N{a^ + } + {e^ - }$
Similarly, on looking the electronic configuration of chlorine atom $1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^6}3{s^2}3{p^5}$
We see that chlorine atom has seven electron in its outermost shell and when it gain one more electron it attain the stable electronic configuration of Argon noble gas $1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^6}3{s^2}3{p^6}$.
$Cl + {e^ - } \to C{l^ - }$
So, when sodium and chlorine react with each other, the outer electron of the sodium atom is released and accepted by the chlorine atom.
This process of transfer of electrons from metal to non- metal leads to formation of ions between both the atoms.
Final product formed after reaction is –
$N{a^ + } + C{l^ - } \to NaCl$
Therefore, when metals react with non-metals it leads to the formation of ionic bonds accomplished by electron transfer from metal atom to non-metal atom.

Note:
Physical state of non-metal is either solid or gases with the only exception of bromine element which is liquid at room temperature.
Ionic compounds on dissociation in aqueous medium regenerate the ions which have capability to move and hence, they are good conductors of electricity.