Skip to content
Dabour HubLEARN · PRACTICE · EXPLORESign inStudent

Unit 5: Reactivity

Comparing metals and non-metals — HIA International - Grade 8 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 7 parts Lesson 3 of 12 2 quizzes

📚 HIA International - Grade 8 Hub / Topical Revision
🩺
100% Curriculum Specification Match Lesson Doctor Verified
The only platform with 100% curriculum specification match and verified interactive question banks.
0%read
Lesson summary

Comparing metals and non-metals — HIA INTERNATIONAL notes: Compare metals with non-metals and use tests to decide which a material is.PropertyMetalsNon-metalsState at room temperatureMost are solidMany are gasesAppearanceShinyDullStrengthDo not shatterBrittleHeat conductionConduc…

  • Check first
  • Most useful test
  • Metal oxides
  • Copper wires
  • Aluminium aircraft
  • Insulation

Section 1 of 7Comparison table

PropertyMetalsNon-metals
State at room temperatureMost are solidMany are gases
AppearanceShinyDull
StrengthDo not shatterBrittle
Heat conductionConduct wellDo not conduct well
Electrical conductionConductMost do not conduct
ShapeMalleable and ductileNot malleable or ductile
SoundSonorousNot sonorous

Section 2 of 7Exceptions and unusual cases

Mercury
  • Mercury a metal that is liquid at room temperature.
Graphite
  • Graphite a non-metal form of carbon that conducts electricity.
Diamond
  • Diamond carbon that is very hard with a very high melting point.
Bromine
  • Bromine a non-metal liquid at room temperature.
Sodium
  • Sodium a soft metal with low density.

Section 3 of 7Identifying an unknown material

1
Look at the surface: is it shiny or dull?
2
Hit it: does it make a ringing sound?
3
Check whether it is brittle or can be bent.
4
Touch it: does it feel cold because it conducts heat away?
5
Test conduction with a circuit of a cell, lamp, wires and crocodile clips.
1Check first
  • Check first connect the clips together to be sure the lamp works.
2Contact
  • Contact make sure the clips touch the material well.
3Most useful test
  • Most useful test electrical conduction is often best, but a mix of tests is needed.

Section 4 of 7Chemical differences

Metal oxides
  • Metal oxides they are bases, e.g. magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide.
Non-metal oxides
  • Non-metal oxides they are often acidic, e.g. carbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide and sulfur + oxygen → sulfur dioxide.
Magnetism
  • Magnetism iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic; most metals are not.

Section 5 of 7Uses follow properties

Copper wires
  • Copper wires copper is a conductor and ductile.
Aluminium aircraft
  • Aluminium aircraft aluminium is strong and of low density.
Insulation
  • Insulation plastics are used as insulators on cables.
Better than non-metals
  • Better than non-metals metals can be shaped without breaking and carry electricity.

Section 6 of 7Key terms

TermMeaning
MetalAn element that is shiny and conducts heat and electricity.
Non-metalAn element that is usually dull and does not conduct well.
BrittleEasily shattered.
DistinguishTo tell apart.
ConductorA material that lets heat or electricity flow.
MercuryThe only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Section 7 of 7Exam technique

1
A material that is dull and brittle could be a metal — it is a non-metal.
2
A ringing sound proves a metal — glass bottles can ring too.
3
All non-metals are gases — many are, but some are solids and bromine is a liquid.
4
Graphite is a metal because it conducts — it is a non-metal that conducts.

Last updated: