Question

4. What is the defining chemical characteristic of (i) metals (ii) nonmetals?

Answer 1

Some of the chemical properties of metals are:

1. Metals are malleable and ductile.

2. Metals form an alloy with other metals or nonmetals.

3. The density of metals are usually high.

4. Metals react with air and corrodes.

5. Generally metals are good conductors of heat and electricity .

6. Metal produce hydrogen gas and metal oxide while reacting with water.

7. Many metals produce metal oxide when burnt in presence of oxygen.

8. Generally metals are in solid state at room temperature. Except Mercury.

9. Salt and hydrogen are produced when metals react with acid.

10. Soluble metal oxide dissolve in water and create metal hydroxide.

Some chemical properties of non metals are:

1. Non metals are not malleable and ductile.

2. They are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity.

3. Non metals react more with metals than with non metals.

4. Most non metals do not react with air at room temperature.

5. Usually non metals do not react with water. Exception is chlorine.

6. They have low density.

7. They do not form alloys. Some of the exceptions are carbon, silicon and phosphorus.

8. Ionic solids are formed when nonmetals with high electronegativity react with alkali and alkaline earth metals.

These were some of the properties of metals and nonmetals.

Hope this solution helps. Thank you .