Metals and Non-Metals
There are about 116 known elements. these elements are divided into three main category
There are about 116 known elements. these elements are divided into three main category
- Metals eg gold,silver
- Non-Metals eg. phosphorous
- Metalloids eg. Arsenic and antimony
Metals
There are about 80 elements which are metals.Well metals can be defined as those elements which readily lose electrons to form positive ions called cations.
- There are some metals which do not react readily with other elements are called rare metals eg gold and platinum.
- Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust followed by iron.
- Ores:The minerals from which metals can be extracted profitably and conveniently are called ores.
- Metals ores commonly occur as carbonates,sulphides,oxides,chlorides and halides.
Physical Properties:
- Ductile: They can be drawn into wires.
- Malleability: They can be beaten into thin sheets.
- Solid: They are usually solid at room temperature except Mercury which is liquid at room temperature.
- Hardness and Tensile strength: Generally very hard and very strong except sodium and potassium.
- M.P and B.P: Very high M.P and B.P.
- Conductivity: Good conductor of heat and electricity exception mercury and tungsten
- Density: High density except sodium and potassium
- Lustre: brilliant shine
- Sonority: Metals are sonorous i.e they make a metallic sound which distinguishes them from a non-metals. except mercury.
Chemical Properties :
Some metals are more reactive than others thus they are arranged in series according to their reactivity. Hydrogen is the only non-metal that is included in this series.
- Reaction with oxygen: Metal react with oxygen to form basic oxides.
2Mg + O2 ------> 2MgO
Magnesium Oxygen Magnesium Oxide
- Reaction with water: Metals react with water to form basic oxide or hydroxide and release hydrogen gas.
Sodium + water ------------> sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
- Reaction with dilute mineral acids: Metals with dilute mineral acid under different conditions to form metal salts and evolve hydrogen gas.
Metal + Dilute acid-------------> Metal salt + hydrogen
- Reaction with salt solution: Metal react with salt solutions of different metals.
Cu + FeSO4 --------> No reaction
Mg + CuSO4 --------> mgSO4 + Cu