Question

Is chlorine a metal or non – metal?

Answer 1

Hint: The properties of the element will describe the existing state of the same. The general properties of metals and non – metals are contradictory to each other. One most important and distinguishable property is that the metal will donate electrons from their electronic cloud whereas, non – metal will accept the electrons.

Complete step by step solution:
Let us understand the facts in detail;
Chlorine –
It has the atomic number of 17 i.e. it requires one electron to satisfy the octet. Thus, it forms a bimolecular gas which is stable and can exist in the same form in nature at normal conditions. It is an oxidant i.e. accepts the electrons (a property of a non – metal). Thus, chlorine is a non – metal.
The chlorine $\left( C{{l}_{2}} \right)$ gas is yellowish – green in colour which is extremely reactive in nature and reacts with many metals to form different compounds.

Note: Do note that non – metals have many other properties which makes them different from metals such as;
- They are dull (not shiny).
- They are insulators (poor conductors of heat and electricity).
- The elemental non – metals are gas at room temperature (for example, chlorine gas).
- They break easily (weak and brittle); and many more.