Lustre

If you rub the surface of metals like iron, copper, aluminium and magnesium by sand paper, then there is change in appearance. Basically, in pure state all metals have shining surface. This property is called metallic lustre. Nonmetals on the other hand, are dull therefore does not have lustre.

Hardness

If you try to cut iron, copper, aluminium, and magnesium by sharp knife, you can observe that Metals are generally hard. The hardness varies from metal to metal. On the other hand nonmetals can be cut or broken easily. So, Comparing metals and nonmetals you can find that nonmetals are soft while metals are hard.

Malleability

Take iron nail, coal piece, piece of thick aluminium wire, pencil lead. Beat each of them with hammer. What do you observe? iron nail and aluminium wire change their shape but coal piece and pencil lead break into pieces. Harder we beat greater is the change of shape. Thus metals if beaten change their shape and forms thin sheet on beating. This property is called malleability. Comparing metals and nonmetals you can find that nonmetals can’t form thin sheet by beating, instead they undergo breaking.

Ductility

Another interesting property of metals is the ability to form thin wires, it is called ductility. With this property you can see wires of aluminium, copper, iron. Nonmetals does not show this property and breaks if we try to form wires.

Sonority: The property of producing ringing sound when a substance is struck by hard substance is called sonority. Metals are sonorous but nonmetals are not.

Conduction of heat

If one end of iron rod is heated then we can feel rise in temperature at other end also. This means that metals conduct heat. Nonmetals does not conduct heat. If non metals would have been conducting heat , will it be possible to use them as handles for cooker and pans? No.

Conduction of electricity

Metals are good conductor of electricity. If you remove the outer PVC coating of wires you will find that there is a metallic wire inside it, usually a copper wire. On the other hand it is recommended to use rubber gloves while doing electrical work. It is because nonmetals are insulators.

Properties of Metals and Non-Metals / Difference between Metals and Non-Metals

Exceptions

Sodium and potassium are soft and can be easily cleaved i.e. cut to form plane surface by knife however these belongs to metals. Similarly, all metals are solid except mercury which exist in liquid form. Iodine is a non-metal but it is lustrous. Diamond is hardest substance which is a nonmetal.

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This article is helpful for Class 8,9,10 Science

Keywords: Physical Properties of Metal and Non- Metals, Metals and Nonmetals, Lustre, Malleability, hardness, Sonority, Ductility, Conduction, Exceptions

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