Difference Between Metals and Non-Metals

The differences between metals and non metals are added in the table below,

Property

Metals

Non-Metals

Definition 

Metals are substances that are hard and have high tensile strength.

Non-metals are substances that are generally gases and not hard.

Malleability

Yes, metals are generally found to be Malleable.

No, non-metals are generally non-malleable in nature.

Ductility

Ductile 

Non-Ductile

Brittleness

Not brittle 

Brittle 

Tensile Strength

High tensile strength

Low tensile strength 

Conductance 

Good conductor of heat and electricity 

Poor conductor of heat and electricity

Nature

Electropositive 

Electronegative

Structure 

Crystalline 

Amorphic

Physical State at room temperature  

Solid (except mercury and gallium)

Solid or gas (except Bromine)

Density 

High-density

 Low density

Valence Electrons 

1 to 3 electrons in the outer shell. 

4 to 8 electrons in the outer shell.

Oxygen

React with oxygen and form basic oxides.

React with oxygen and form acidic oxides.

Effects of Oxides formed on Litmus paper

Metal oxides turn red litmus paper into the blue.

Nonmetal oxides turn blue litmus paper into red. 

Acid

React with acids and produce hydrogen gas.

Do not usually react with acids.

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Difference between Metals and Non-Metals

Elements are chemically occurring natural substances that may be found in a free state or combined state. They are extracted from ores. ores are found deep inside the earth’s crust. The ores from which metals can be easily extracted are called minerals. By the definition of minerals, metals can be extracted. 

Based on their characteristics, elements are categorised as either metals or nonmetals. Much of the time, you can determine if an element is a metal by its metallic sheen, but this isn’t the sole distinction between these two broad categories of elements.

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What are Metals?

Metals are natural elements that are solid, shiny, opaque and have a greater density. Metals have extremely high melting and boiling points. They are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. The atoms of metals are organised in a crystal structure. They function as reducing agents by losing valence electrons and forming cations. Silver, aluminium, gold, lead, nickel, copper, titanium, magnesium, iron, cobalt, zinc, and other metals are examples....

What are Non-Metals?

Non-metals are soft materials with low electrical and thermal conductivity. Nonmetals, as a result, limit the flow of electric current through them. Graphite, on the other hand, is an exception due to its high electrical conductivity....

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