Metals and Non-Metals - Part VII

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5. Comparison between metals and non-metals
In the earlier sections, we have seen in detail the physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals. We have also discussed about the reactivity series of metals. Now we are able to compare the physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals more easily. The tables below give these comparisons.  

Comparison between the physical properties of metals and non-metals

                 Metals                                                Non-metals

  • Metals are malleable
 Non-metals are not malleable
  • Metals are ductile
 Non-metals are not ductile
  • Metals are not brittle
 Non-metals are generally brittle
  • Metals are strong and have high tensile strengths
 Non-metals are not strong. They have low tensile strengths
  • Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity
 Other than graphite, which is an allotropic form of carbon, all non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity
  • Metals have a good lustre
 Most non-metals have poor lustre
  • Metals have high tensile strengths
 Non-Metals have poor tensile strengths
  • Other than mercury, all metals are solids at room temperature
 Non-metals can be solids, liquids or gaseous at room temperature
  • Other than sodium and potassium all metals have high melting points
 Solid non-metals have low melting points

Comparison between the chemical properties of metals and non-metals

                         Metals                                              Non-metals

  • Metals form electropositive ions in a reaction
 Non-Metals form electronegative ions in a reaction
  • Metals form oxides that are basic in nature
Non-metals form oxides that are either acidic or neutral in nature
  • Most of the metals react with water to give metal-hydrides and hydrogen
Non-metals do not react with water
  • Most metals react with dilute acids to give a metal-salt and hydrogen
 Non-metals do not react with dilute acids
  • Metals react with salt solution and undergo displacement reactions only if the reactivity is favourable
Non-metals react with salt solutions and undergo displacement reactions only if the reactivity is favourable
  • Metals react with metal oxide and undergo displacement reactions only if the reactivity is favourable
Non-metals do not react with metal oxides
  • Metals react with chlorine to form electrovalent chlorides. These are ionic in nature, non-volatile and good electrolytes
Non-metals form covalent chlorides. These are volatile and non-electrolytes
  • Metals react with hydrogen to form metal-hydrides. These are electrovalent or ionic in nature
Non-metals react with hydrogen to form covalent hydrides
  • Metals are reducing agents as they donate electrons
 Non-metals are oxidizing agents as they accept electrons

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