Metals and non-metals

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Lesson notes

Organising Elements

There are **over 100 known elements**.
Elements are organised in the **periodic table** according to their **properties** and **atomic number** (number of protons).
Elements are categorised as **metals** and **non-metals** based on their properties.

Electrical Conductivity

Metals are **good electrical conductors** (low resistance).
Non-metals are **poor electrical conductors** (electrical insulators, high resistance).
Example: **Copper** is used for electrical wires because it is a good electrical conductor.

Thermal Conductivity

Metals are **good thermal conductors** (conduct heat well).
Non-metals are usually **thermal insulators** (poor conductors of heat).
Example: **Aluminium** is used for cooking pans because it is a good thermal conductor.

Malleability, Ductility, and Strength

Metals are generally **malleable** (can be shaped), **ductile** (drawn into wires), and **strong**.
Non-metals are generally **brittle** (break easily).
Example: **Steel** is used in construction for its strength; **copper** is used for wires because it is ductile.

Melting and Boiling Points

Metals usually have **high melting and boiling points**.
Non-metals often have **low melting and boiling points**; many are **gases at room temperature**.
Example: Iron melts at **1500 °C**, oxygen melts at **-220 °C**.

Summary of Properties

Metals: good electrical and thermal conductors, malleable, ductile, strong, high melting/boiling points.
Non-metals: poor electrical and thermal conductors (insulators), brittle, low melting/boiling points, often gases.

Bohr model of iron (Fe), a typical metal, showing its electron configuration.

Particle arrangement in solids (metal), liquids, and gases (non-metal). Metals are usually solid at room temperature; many non-metals are gases.

Slides

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Practice questions

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1.Which of the following is a property of metals?
Easy
- AGood electrical conductors
- BPoor thermal conductors
- CBrittle
- DLow melting points
2.Which statement about non-metals is correct?
Easy
- ANon-metals are usually ductile.
- BNon-metals are often good electrical insulators.
- CNon-metals have high melting points.
- DNon-metals are generally strong.
3.What does the atomic number of an element represent?
Easy
- ANumber of neutrons
- BNumber of protons
- CNumber of electrons and neutrons
- DNumber of nucleons
4.Copper is often used for electrical wires. Which two properties make it suitable?
Medium
- AGood electrical conductor and ductile
- BGood thermal conductor and malleable
- CStrong and brittle
- DHigh melting point and low density
5.Why are cooking pans often made of aluminium?
Medium
- AAluminium is a good electrical conductor.
- BAluminium is a good thermal conductor.
- CAluminium is brittle and light.
- DAluminium has a low melting point.
6.Which of the following is true about the melting points of metals compared to non-metals?
Easy
- AMetals usually have lower melting points than non-metals.
- BMetals usually have higher melting points than non-metals.
- CMetals and non-metals have similar melting points.
- DNon-metals always have higher melting points than metals.
7.What does it mean if a material is malleable?
Easy
- AIt can be drawn out into thin wires.
- BIt can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.
- CIt is a good conductor of electricity.
- DIt breaks easily when hit.
8.Which of the following is a property of non-metals?
Medium
- AGood electrical conductors
- BMalleable
- CBrittle
- DHigh melting points

Revision notes

## Metals vs Non-Metals: Quick Revision - **Metals**: good electrical & thermal conductors, malleable, ductile, strong, high melting/boiling points. - **Non-metals**: poor conductors (insulators), brittle, low melting/boiling points, often gases at room temp. ### Key Properties - **Electrical conductor**: low resistance, allows current to flow. Metals are good; non-metals are poor (insulators). - **Thermal conductor**: conducts heat well. Metals are good; non-metals are insulators. - **Malleable**: can be hammered into shapes. - **Ductile**: can be drawn into wires. - **Brittle**: breaks easily. ### Examples - **Copper**: used in wires (good electrical conductor, ductile). - **Aluminium**: used in pans (good thermal conductor). - **Steel**: used in construction (strong). - **Iron**: melting point 1500°C; **Oxygen**: melting point -220°C. ### Periodic Table - Elements organised by atomic number (number of protons) and properties. - Metals and non-metals have distinct properties.

Atomic number: The number of protons in an element.
Electrical conductor: A material that allows current to flow easily; has low resistance.
Electrical insulator: A poor electrical conductor; has high resistance.
Thermal conductor: A material that conducts heat well.
Thermal insulator: A poor thermal conductor.
Malleable: Easy to make into different shapes.
Ductile: Can be drawn out into thin wires.
Brittle: Breaks easily.
Resistance: A measure of how hard it is for current to flow through something.

Flashcards

What are the two main categories of elements in the periodic table?

Metals and non-metals.

How are elements organised in the periodic table?

Elements are organised according to their properties and atomic number (number of protons).

What is the atomic number of an element?

The atomic number is the number of protons in an element.

Are metals generally good or poor electrical conductors?

Metals are generally good electrical conductors.

What is a poor electrical conductor also called?

An electrical insulator.

What is resistance?

Resistance is a measure of how hard it is for current to flow through something.

Give an example of a metal used for electrical wires and explain why.

Copper is often used for electrical wires because it is a good electrical conductor and ductile.

Are metals generally good or poor thermal conductors?

Metals are generally good thermal conductors.

What is a thermal insulator?

A material that is a poor conductor of heat.

Give an example of a metal used for cooking pans and explain why.

Aluminium is often used for cooking pans because it is a good thermal conductor.

What does malleable mean?

Malleable means easy to make into different shapes.

What does ductile mean?

Ductile means can be drawn out into thin wires.

Are metals generally strong or brittle?

Metals are generally strong.

Are non-metals generally strong or brittle?

Non-metals are generally brittle.

How do the melting and boiling points of metals compare to non-metals?

Metals usually have high melting and boiling points, while non-metals often have low melting and boiling points.

What state are many non-metals at room temperature?

Many non-metals are gases at room temperature.

What is the melting point of iron?

1500 °C.

What is the melting point of oxygen?

-220 °C.

True or false: Metals are good thermal insulators.

False. Metals are good thermal conductors.

True or false: Non-metals are ductile.

False. Non-metals are generally brittle.

True or false: The atomic number is the number of neutrons in an element.

False. The atomic number is the number of protons.

Why is steel often used in construction?

Steel is often used in construction because it is strong.

What does it mean for a material to be a good electrical conductor?

A good electrical conductor has low resistance, allowing current to flow easily.

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