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3.2: Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

  • Page ID
    49056
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    Skills to Develop

    • Describe the differences among metals, nonmetals,a nd metalloids.
    • Identify an element as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid given a periodic table or its properties.

    In the periodic table, the elements are arranged according to similarities in their properties. The elements are listed in order of increasing atomic number as you read from left to right across a period and from top to bottom down a group. In this section you will learn the general behavior and trends within the periodic table that result from this arrangement in order to predict the properties of the elements.

    Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

    There is a progression from metals to nonmetals across each row of elements in the periodic table. The diagonal line at the right side of the table separates the elements into two groups: the metals and the nonmetals. The elements that are on the left of this line tend to be metals, while those to the right tend to be nonmetals (with the exception of hydrogen which is a nonmetal). The elements that are directly on the diagonal are metalloids, with some exceptions. Aluminum touches the line, but is considered a metal. Metallic character generally increases from top to bottom down a group and right to left across a period, meaning that francium (\(\ce{Fr}\)) has the most metallic character of all of the discovered elements.

    CK12 Screenshot 3-2-1.png

    Most of the chemical elements are metals. Most metals have the common properties of being shiny, very dense, and having high melting points. Metals tend to be ductile (can be drawn out into thin wires) and malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets). Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. All metals are solids at room temperature except for mercury. In chemical reactions, metals easily lose electrons to form positive ions. Examples of metals include silver, gold, and zinc.

    Nonmetals are generally brittle, dull, have low melting points, and they are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity. In chemical reactions, they tend to gain electrons to form negative ions. Examples of nonmetals are hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen.

    Metalloids have properties of both metals and nonmetals. Metalloids can be shiny or dull. Electricity and heat can travel through metalloids, although not as easily as they can through metals. They are also called semimetals. They are typically semi-conductors, which means that they are elements that conduct electricity better than insulators, but not as well as conductors. They are valuable in the computer chip industry. Examples of metalloids are silicon and boron.

    Summary

    • There is a progression from metals to nonmetals across each period of elements in the periodic table.
    • Metallic character generally increases from top to bottom down a group and right to left across a period.

    Vocabulary

    • Periodic Law: States that the properties of elements recur periodically as their atomic numbers increase.
    • Ductile: Can be drawn out into thin wire.
    • Malleable: Can be hammered into thin sheets.

    Contributors


    3.2: Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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