Question

Compare the physical properties of metals and nonmetals in general with reference to melting point:
A. Both have low melting point
B. Both have high melting point
C. Metals have high melting point while non-metals have high melting point
D. Metals have high melting point while non-metals have low melting point

Answer 1

Hint: Tungsten has the highest melting point and therefore exists as in solid state at room temperature. Metals mainly exist in the solid state at the room temperature. Boiling as well as melting points of non-metals are low as comparison to metals and therefore they exist mainly in liquid state in room temperature

Complete step by step solution:
From your chemistry lessons you have learned about the metals, non-metals and about their physical and chemical properties. Let us discuss some of the physical properties of metals and non-metals.

Metals	Non-metals
Metals are generally solid at the room temperature except mercury which is liquid at room temperature.	Non-metals mainly exist in two of the three states of matter at the room temperature that are liquid and gases.
Metals have the tendency to reflect light from its surface and can be polished so they are lustrous.For example; silver, copper and gold	Non-metals are not lustrous and they do not reflect light.
Metals are malleable i.e. have the tendency to withstand the hammering and get converted into thin sheets.	Non-metals are not malleable
Metals are ductile i.e. can be drawn into wires.	They are not ductile, they are brittle therefore cannot be rolled up into wires or in sheets.
Boiling and melting points of metals are high. Tungsten have the highest melting point whereas the melting point of silver and sodium are low.	Melting and boiling points of non-metals are low as compared to metals.
Metals are a good conductor of electricity and generally all metals are hard except sodium and potassium.	Non-metals are bad conductor of electricity And are generally soft in nature.

Therefore the melting point of metals is high whereas the melting point of nonmetals are low.

Thus the correct option will be (D).

Note: Metals have the tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions and therefore metals are the electropositive element whereas non-metals are those elements which can gain or share electrons with other atoms and therefore they are electronegative elements. Density of metals are high as compared to non-metals. Osmium and Iridium have the highest densities in the periodic table.