What are the major differences between metals and non-metals?

Question

Vedantu Content Team · Accepted Answer

Hint: Elements that conducts heat and electricity is known as metals like copper and aluminium  and they include transition metals, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals  in the periodic table whereas non- metals are bad conductor of electricity and they include elements like all halogens, carbon, sulfur, noble gases, etc.Complete step by step answer:Metals and non- metals can be distinguished from each on the basis of their physical properties as well as in chemical properties. Such metals are lustrous, malleable, ductile, good conductors of electricity and have high melting point while non-metals are just opposite of metals like they are non-lustrous, non-malleable, non-ductile, poor conductor of heat and electricity and have low melting point.But the major differences between the metals and non- metals are:                                     Metals                                     Non-metalsMetals usually forms ionic compoundsNon-metals usually form covalent compoundsMetals have low ionization enthalpiesNon-metals have high ionization enthalpiesMetals are usually electropositive and are less electronegativeNon-metals are electronegativeMetals have less negative electron gain enthalpiesNon-metals have high negative electron gain enthalpiesMetals have the ability to lose electron easilyNon-metals cannot lose electron easilyMetals do not have the tendency to gain electron easilyNon-metals can easily gain electrons Metal oxides are basic in natureOxides of non-metals are acidic in natureReducing power of metals is high Reducing power of non-metals is lowMetals forms cationsNon-metals form anionsNote: In the periodic table majority of the elements are metals and they are present in the left hand side of the periodic table and are separated by non-metals through a zigzag line which starts from the carbon and ends at radon. The no. of elements that are non-metals are very few in the periodic table and they are present at the upper right hand side of the periodic table. Between the metals and non-metals metalloids are present.

Metals	Non-metals
Metals usually forms ionic compounds	Non-metals usually form covalent compounds
Metals have low ionization enthalpies	Non-metals have high ionization enthalpies
Metals are usually electropositive and are less electronegative	Non-metals are electronegative
Metals have less negative electron gain enthalpies	Non-metals have high negative electron gain enthalpies
Metals have the ability to lose electron easily	Non-metals cannot lose electron easily
Metals do not have the tendency to gain electron easily	Non-metals can easily gain electrons
Metal oxides are basic in nature	Oxides of non-metals are acidic in nature
Reducing power of metals is high	Reducing power of non-metals is low
Metals forms cations	Non-metals form anions