Characteristics of metals and non metals …

Physical properties of metal

• Metals are solid except mercury that is found in liquid state at room temperature.
• They are hard and tough except sodium and potassium that can be cut with a knife.
• They are lustrous i.e. they shine in light because metals possess free electrons that vibrates on getting in contact with light.
• They have high melting points except caesium and gallium have very low melting point.
• They are good conductors of heat and electricity. The best conductors of electricity are silver and copper whereas lead and mercury are comparatively poor conductors.

Physical properties of non-metals

• Non-metals may be either solids, liquids or gases.
• Solid non-metals are brittle and break down into powdery mass on striking with a hammer except diamond which is the hardest non-metal.
• They have a dull luster but iodine is lustorous.
• They have low melting points except diamond that has very high melting point.
• They are poor conductors of heat and electricity except graphite.
• They are not malleable.
• They are not ductile.
• They are not sonorous.
• Examples are carbon, Sulphur, oxygen, phosphorous and many more.