10.2Unit 5: Metals, non-metals, acids and alkalis
Comparing metals and non metals
5 min read 4 parts Lesson 2 of 6 1 quiz
Lesson summary
10.2 Comparing metals and non-metals — CHECKPOINT (CHEMISTRY) notes: Compare metals and non-metals and test unknown materials to identify them.PropertyMetalsNon-metalsState at room temperatureMost are solidMany are gasesAppearanceShinyDullStrengthDo not shatterBrittle when solidH…
- Brittleness
- Electricity
- Better than non-metals
- Distinguish
- Appearance — is it shiny or dull?
- Sound — does it make a ringing sound when hit?
Section 1 of 4Metals and non-metals compared
| Property | Metals | Non-metals |
|---|---|---|
| State at room temperature | Most are solid | Many are gases |
| Appearance | Shiny | Dull |
| Strength | Do not shatter | Brittle when solid |
| Heat conduction | Conduct heat well | Do not conduct heat well |
| Electrical conduction | Conduct electricity | Most do not conduct |
| Sound | Sonorous | Not sonorous |
| Shaping | Malleable and ductile | Not malleable or ductile |
Section 2 of 4Questions to ask when testing a material
- Appearance
- is it shiny or dull?
- Sound
- does it make a ringing sound when hit?
- Brittleness
- is it brittle, and can it be bent?
- Heat
- does it feel hot or cold, showing heat conduction?
- Electricity
- does it conduct electricity?
Section 3 of 4Testing electrical conduction
- Build a circuit with a cell, a lamp and crocodile clips.
- Check the lamp works by joining the clips together with no test material.
- Connect the test material between the clips, making good contact.
- If the lamp lights, the material conducts electricity.
Section 4 of 4Unusual properties
- Mercury
- a metal that is liquid at room temperature
- Reminder
- some tests are not enough alone; the most useful test is conduction of electricity combined with other properties
- Better than non-metals
- metals conduct, are malleable and are ductile
Marked practiceQuizzes for this lesson
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