Metals- hard, sonorous, malleable, ductile, solid at room temperature, electro positive, not elastic, high density, lustrous, etc.......... these have some exceptional casesnon metals-smooth, non sonorous, non malleable, brittle, mostly liquid or gas in room temperature, electro negative, mostly elastic low density, lustrous, etc........these have some exceptional cases

Introduction

Metals and non-metals are two distinct categories of elements found in the periodic table. They can be differentiated based on their physical properties, which include characteristics such as appearance, melting and boiling points, density, and conductivity.

Appearance

- Metals: Most metals have a lustrous appearance, meaning they have a shiny and reflective surface. Examples of metals with this characteristic include gold, silver, and copper.
- Non-metals: Non-metals, on the other hand, have a dull appearance. They lack the luster and reflective quality of metals. Elements such as sulfur and phosphorus exhibit this property.

Melting and Boiling Points

- Metals: Metals generally have high melting and boiling points. This is due to the strong metallic bonds between metal atoms. For example, iron has a melting point of 1538 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 2862 degrees Celsius.
- Non-metals: Non-metals tend to have lower melting and boiling points compared to metals. The weaker bonds between non-metal atoms contribute to their lower melting and boiling points. An example is sulfur, which melts at 115 degrees Celsius and boils at 444 degrees Celsius.

Density

- Metals: Metals are generally dense and heavy. They have a high mass per unit volume. For instance, lead is a dense metal with a density of 11.34 grams per cubic centimeter.
- Non-metals: Non-metals, on the other hand, have lower densities compared to metals. They are generally lighter and less dense. For example, carbon dioxide gas has a density of 1.98 grams per liter at standard temperature and pressure.

Conductivity

- Metals: Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity due to the presence of free electrons in their atomic structure. This property allows them to easily transfer heat and electricity. Copper is an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity.
- Non-metals: Non-metals, in general, are poor conductors of heat and electricity. They lack the free electrons that enable efficient energy transfer. Rubber, for example, is a non-metal and is a poor conductor of electricity.

Summary

In summary, metals and non-metals can be differentiated based on their physical properties. Metals have a lustrous appearance, high melting and boiling points, high density, and good conductivity. Non-metals, on the other hand, have a dull appearance, lower melting and boiling points, lower density, and poor conductivity. These properties reflect the fundamental differences between these two categories of elements in the periodic table.