Question

Write the difference between Metal and Non-metal under the following heads.
a.) Nature
b.) State
c.) Lustre
d.) Ductility
e.) Reaction with acid
f.) Reaction with oxygen

Answer 1

Hint: In this question, we have to differentiate between the metals, and nonmetals on the basis of these given factors. The examples of metals are aluminium, sodium, mercury, and many more; and for non-metals; the examples are silicon, carbon, phosphorus, and many more. By looking at the properties of examples, we can differentiate the metals, and nonmetals.

Complete step by step solution:
Now, let us differentiate between the metals, and nonmetals one by one in consideration with the examples.
First we have nature, then we know that metals like sodium, mercury, etc. are electropositive in nature; whereas non-metals i.e. phosphorus, silicon etc. are electronegative in nature.
Second we have state; metals exist in the solid state but mercury is the only metal which exists in the liquid state.
If we talk about the state of non-metals, then they depict all the three states of matter like solid, liquid, and gas.
Third we have is lustre; metals are lustrous, and shine whereas non-metals are not.
Fourth we have is ductile nature; Metals are ductile, whereas non-metals are not. We can say that metals can be broken into thin sheets.
Now the fifth one is reaction with the acids, metals can displace hydrogen, and leads to the formation of salts, whereas non-metals cannot displace hydrogen.
Talking about the last one, i.e. reaction with the oxygen in the air.
In this case metals will lead to the formation of basic oxides, whereas non-metals lead to the formation of acidic, or neutral oxides.
For the easy understanding, we will represent it in the tabular form as follows:

Properties	Metals	Non-metals
Nature	Electropositive	Electronegative
State	Solid state except mercury, i.e. Liquid	Exist in solid, liquid, or gas (all three states)
Lustre	Lustrous, and shine	Non- lustrous
Ductile	Ductile	Non-ductile
Reaction with acids	They will displace hydrogen	They will not displace hydrogen
Reaction with oxygen	They form basic oxides	They will form neutral, or acidic oxides

In the last, we can conclude that the metal, and non-metals are differentiated on the basis of given factors as mentioned.

Note: Don’t get confused in the fifth point that why metals can displace hydrogen; whereas non-metals cannot displace. As we know in the electrochemical series, metals are placed above the hydrogen, and non-metals are placed below the hydrogen, so the metals are highly reactive than hydrogen. This is the reason for the displacement of hydrogen in metals.