Atomic and Physical Properties

Metals occur as free elements in nature or in the form of their compounds. Let’s define metal in terms of chemistry, Metals can be defined as the element that loses electrons to form positive ions. For example – copper, aluminium, silver, etc. 

Non-metal can be defined as the elements which accept electrons to form negative ions. For example- Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, chlorine, etc. 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ELEMENTS

The physical property of an element is the property that can be seen and can be specified like the colour, hardness, rigidity, boiling and melting point, and many more.  When there is the interconversion of states it is called a physical change. It is because this change is occurring without any change in the composition and even there is no change in the chemical nature of the substance.

 For example, to explain it better, take the ice, water, and water vapour – they all look very different and show different physical properties but they are chemically the same. Another example is water and cooking oil – they both are liquid in their appearance but their chemical characteristics are very different. They are different in odour as well as inflammability. 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS- 

Metals have various physical properties. So, we will start by explaining each of them in detail-

1. All metals are solid at room temperature except mercury.

2. Metals have a high melting point but gallium and caesium have very low melting points. When you keep these metals on your palm, they will melt.

3. Metals have lustre.

4. Metals are malleable. It means metals can be easily shaped without being broken. For example- by using a hammer, we can convert iron into long sheets. 

5. Metals have high density. They are hard and heavy too. 

6. Alkali metals (lithium, sodium, and potassium ) are so soft that they can be cut with a knife. It has a low density and even a low melting point.

7. Metals have the property of being ductile. Ductility can be defined as a property in which metals can be made into thin wires. For example- copper is a metal. We make long copper wires for the conduction of current and electricity.  

8. Metal even produces a ringing sound. 

9. Metals are hard. 

10. Metals are great conductors of electricity and heat. For example, copper wires are good conductors of current and we use them in our day–to–day life. We even use metallic pots for cooking food as they are good conductors of heat.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NON-METAL-

Non-metal have their own physical properties. Here, we are going to discuss the physical properties in detail-

1. Non-metals are Soft.

2. Non-metal is dull in appearance. It is because they do not reflect light very well. For example, charcoal is very dull. Iodine is non-metal but it is very lustrous.

3. Non-metal is non-sonorous

4. Non–metals are insulators i.e. they are very poor conductors of heat and electricity. For example- Plastic is non-metal and it does not conduct heat and electricity. But there are few exceptions. Take an example of carbon. Carbon is non-metal but it exists in different forms. Each form is called an allotrope. Diamond is an allotrope of carbon, is the hardest natural substance and also has very high melting and boiling points. Graphite, which is another allotrope of carbon, is a good conductor of electricity.

5. Non-metal is brittle i.e. they can’t bend. For example- glass cannot be bent unless it is broken.

6. Non- metal are gases at room temperature. But there are some exceptions. Bromine is a non-metal but is in a liquid state at room temperature. Carbon and iodine are non-metals but solid at room temperature.

7. Non-metals are less dense than metals and have low density.

8. Non-metals are non-ductile. They cannot be converted into thin wires. 

9. Non-metals are non-malleable. They cannot be beaten into thin sheets. 

CONCLUSION –

At last, we came to know about metals and non-metals. We also came across the physical properties of metals and non-metals. Talking in a nutshell about the physical properties of metals and non-metals are- Metals are solid, ductile, malleable, sonorous, have lustre, and good conductors of electricity. On the other hand, Non- metals are gases, non-ductile, non-malleable, do not have a lustre, and are insulators of heat and electricity.