Non-Metals vs Metals

Concept 4: Non-Metals vs Metals

Success Criteria & Vocabulary

Click this drop-down menu to see the Success Criteria.

  • I can identify the location of metals on the periodic table.

  • I can describe the properties of certain metals.

Click this drop-down menu to see the list of Vocabulary.

Brittle: Property of a non-metal, where it can be turned into powder form.

Conductor: Property of a metal, where it allows electrons to flow through it.

Ductile: Property of a metal, where it is able to be pulled into wires.

Lustrous: Property of a metal, where it is shiny.

Magnetic: Property of a metal, where it is attracted to magnets.

Malleable: Property of a metal, where it can be reshaped without breaking.

Common Misconceptions & Shortcomings

Student comes up with random properties that are incorrect.

  • Don't make up a random property of a metal. The best properties of metals to use in your explanations are: conductivity, lustre, malleability, ductility, magnetism, not reactive. If it's not on this list, stop and think "does it make sense?"

Student confuses between malleability and ductility.

  • Do not confuse 'malleablilty' and 'ductility'. Malleability is the property of being able to be bent or shaped without breaking. Whereas ductility is the property of being able to be drawn into wires.

Student does not explain why that property is important.

  • When explaining why a certain metal is useful for a certain application, do not forget to link the property of the metal back to the application. E.g. Aluminium is useful for building the body of planes because it is malleable, which means it can be bent into an aerodynamic shape. Aluminium is also light weight, which means the plane won't need as much fuel to lift from the ground.

Tasks

Worksheet - C4_ Metals vs. Non-Metals.pptx

Complete Education Perfect:

Task called '9MW Concept 4: Metals vs Non-Metals'.

  • Metals and Non-Metals

  • Properties of Metals

Learn the 6 keywords using Quizlet:

Concept 4: Support Notes

Location of Metals on the Periodic Table

Metals and non-metals can be identified from their position on the periodic table.

Elements can be classified as metals or non-metals. Metals are placed on the left-hand side, and non-metals are placed on the right-hand side of the periodic table. Nearly 2/3 of all elements are metals.

The zigzag line in the diagrams below separates the metals on the left, from the non-metals on the right.

The block in between Group 2 and Group 3 is where transition metals are placed. We will not be discussing transition metals any further.

Properties of Non-Metals

Non-metals have 3 properties you should know about:

  • Soft

  • BRITTLE (can be turned into powder form)

  • Dull

Non-metals are NOT LUSTROUS, DUCTILE, MALLEABLE, CONDUCTOR or MAGNETIC.

Properties of Metals

There are 4 properties you must know about:

  • CONDUCTIVITY - All metals are good conductors of electricity.

  • LUSTRE - Most metals are lustrous (shiny)

  • MALLEABILITY - Metals can be reshaped without breaking

  • DUCTILITY - Metals can be pulled into wires

  • MAGNETISM - SOME Metals are attracted to magnets.

Many of these physical properties are unique to metals, and because of that, metals are used for many situations that other non-metals could not be used.

Featured Metal: Copper

  • Reddish-brown in colour.

  • Malleable

  • Ductile

  • Good heat and electrical conductivity

  • Electrical wires

  • Heating pipes

  • Roofing

Featured Metal: Iron

  • Ductile, malleable, tough.

  • Shrinks on cooling.

  • Making water pipes, gas pipes, and sewers.

  • Making ornamental castings, such as brackets, gates, lamp posts, spiral staircases, etc.

  • Making parts of machinery.

  • Can be used to form temporary magnets.

  • Used where a tough metal is required.

Featured Metal: Lead

  • Can be cut with a knife.

  • Lustrous (shiny) & heavy metal.

  • Bluish-grey colour.

  • Very soft & malleable at room temperature.

  • Toilet fittings, water-proof, & acid-proof chambers.

  • Gas pipes, roof gutters.

  • Damp-proof courses of buildings, cable coverings.

  • Plates for storage batteries, covering for electrical cables.

Featured Metal: Aluminium

  • Silver in colour.

  • Very strong but light in weight.

  • Very good conductor of heat and electricity.

  • Non-magnetic substance.

  • Soft & malleable.

  • Ductile.

  • Making automobile bodies, engine parts.

  • Conductive of heat and electricity.

  • Manufacture of electrical conductors.

  • Making drink cans, high tension wires.

Featured Metal: Gold

  • Yellow gold in colour.

  • Very soft and malleable, and heavy in weight.

  • Very good conductor of heat and electricity.

  • Ductile

  • Jewellery and decorative objects.

  • Manufacture of audio wires and fittings.

  • Gold bars and coins.