Classify Metals & Non-Metals (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Modular))

Revision Note

Written by: Stewart Hird, Chemistry Lead

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham, Head of STEM

We can use properties such as electrical conductivity and acid-base character to classify elements as metals or non-metals

Property	Metals	Non-metals
Electron arrangement	1-3 outer shell electrons	4-7 outer shell electrons
Bonding	Metallic bonding due to loss of electrons	Covalent by sharing of outer shell electrons
Electrical conductivity	Good conductor of electricity	Poor conductors of electricity
Type of oxide	Basic oxides	Acidic oxides (some are neutral)
Reaction with acids	Many react with acids	Usually do not react with acids
Physical characteristics	Usually lustrous (shiny) Solid at room temperature (excluding mercury) Malleable, can be bent and shaped High melting and boiling point	Dull, non-reflective Different states at room temperature Flaky, brittle Low melting and boiling points

The location of the metals and non-metals shows a clear pattern when highlighted on a periodic table
Another thing that is striking, is that you can see that the vast majority of elements are metals

Metals are on the left of the Periodic Table and non-metals on the right

A zig-zag line between the blue and purple elements separates the metals on the left, from the non-metals on the right.

Elements which border the line are hard to classify as they have characteristics of both sides, so the term semi-metal or metalloid is used.

Last updated: 27 August 2024

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