comparison-of-general-physical-properties-of-metals-and-non-metals

PlantUML Diagram

Comparison of General Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

Thermal Conductivity

  • Metals: High conductivity
  • Non-metals: Poor conductivity

Electrical Conductivity

  • Metals: Good conductors (free electrons)
  • Non-metals: Poor conductors (lack free electrons)
  • Exception: Graphite (non-metal, good conductor)

Adaptability

  • Metals: Malleable and ductile (can be hammered, drawn into wires, or thin sheets)
  • Non-metals: Brittle (not malleable or ductile)

Melting and Boiling Points

  • Metals: Generally high (strong metallic bonds)
  • Non-metals: Often lower (weaker bonds: covalent, van der Waals, or hydrogen)

Key Points

  • Periodic Arrangement: Elements' properties repeat when arranged by increasing atomic number
  • Period: Horizontal row in the periodic table
  • Group/Family: Column in the periodic table
  • s-block elements: Group IA and IIA (s sub-shell fills)
  • p-block elements: Group IIIA to VIIIA (valence p sub-shell fills)
  • Period Length: Depends on type of sub-shell filling
  • Shielding Effect: Decreased nuclear attraction due to inner electrons
  • Atomic Size: Average distance between nucleus and outer electronic shell
  • Atomic Radii Trends:
    • Decrease left to right in a period
    • Increase top to bottom in a group
  • Ionization Energy: Energy to remove outermost electron from gaseous atom
  • Electron Affinity: Energy released when electron adds to valence shell of isolated atom

Concept Assessment Exercise 4.10

Compare general properties of metals and non-metals (covered in points 1-4 above)

References:

  • B. Earl and LDR Wilford, Introduction to Advanced Chemistry
  • Jain Brand and Richard Grime, Chemistry (11-14)
  • Lawrie Ryan, Chemistry for You