Frequently Asked Questions - Metals and Non-metals
Metals are elements that are typically shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. Non-metals are elements that lack these properties and are generally poor conductors.
Properties of metals include high melting and boiling points, malleability, ductility, conductivity, and metallic luster.
Common metals include iron, copper, aluminum, gold, silver, and zinc.
Non-metals have low melting and boiling points, lack metallic luster, are brittle, and have poor electrical conductivity.
Examples of non-metals include carbon, sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine.
The reactivity series is a ranking of metals based on their tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions. It helps predict their reactivity in reactions.
Metals react with non-metals by transferring electrons, forming ions. The resulting compounds are called ionic compounds.
Corrosion is the process by which metals react with substances in the environment to form undesirable compounds, causing the metal to deteriorate over time.
Corrosion can be prevented by using coatings like paint, oil, or galvanization, which create a barrier between the metal and the environment.
Metalloids are elements that possess properties of both metals and non-metals. They have intermediate conductivity and other characteristics.