Differentiate between metal and non-metal based on their chemical properties.

Question

Vedantu Content Team · Accepted Answer

Hint: In this we have to differentiate between the metals and non-metals on their chemical properties. Chemical properties include nature of oxides, reaction with acids, oxidizing/reducing nature etc.Complete step by step answer:First, let’s discuss what is a metal and a nonmetal. Metals are the substances that are solid, hard, malleable (means a substance can be moulded into any shape), ductile (means a substance can be made into thin wires) and can conduct heat and electricity. copper, iron etc. On the other hand, non-metals are those which lack all these properties and are poor conductors of electricity. E.g. nitrogen, chlorine etc.Now, we will differentiate between the metal and non- metals. No.Chemical propertiesMetals Non-metals1.NatureElectropositive in nature i.e. they carry the positive charge. E.g.${N{a}^ {+}}, M{{g}^ {2+}}, A{{l}^ {3+}} $etc.Electronegative in nature i.e. they carry the negative charge. E.g.${{Cl}^ {-}}, {{F}^ {-}}, {{S}^ {2-}} $etc.2.Oxides nature       It reacts with oxygen to give basic oxides. E.g.$4N\text{a+} {{O}_ {2}} \to 2N{{a}_ {2}} O$It reacts with oxygen to form neutral or acidic oxides. E.g.${{O}_ {2}} \to C{{O}_ {2}} $3.Reaction with acidsThey react with acids to form salt and hydrogen. E.g.$HN{{O}_ {3}} +Ca\to Ca{{(NO)} _ {3}} +{{H}_ {2}} $No reaction4.Reaction with waterThey react with water to form hydroxide and hydrogen.$2N\text{a+2} {{\text{H}} _ {2}} \text{O}\to \text{2NaOH+} {{\text{H}} _ {2}} $Do not react.5.Oxidizing/ Reducing agentsMetals react as reducing agents by donating electrons.$Na\to N{{a}^ {+}} +{{e}^ {-}} $Non-metals are oxidizing agents that can gain the electrons.$C{{l}_ {2}} +{{e}^ {-}} \to C{{l}^ {-}} $6.BondThey form ionic bonds i.e. The bond which is formed by the electrostatic attraction between the two oppositely charged ions. E.g. metal oxides and hydroxides form ionic bonds. They form covalent bonds i.e. The bond which is formed by the sharing of electron pairs. E.g. non-metal oxides and hydroxides form covalent bond.So, it’s easy to differentiate the metals and non- metals in the tabular form rather than in the paragraph form.Note: Don’t get confused in the oxidizing and reducing nature of the metals and non-metals. Always remember that the metals undergo oxidation. (either involve the loss of electrons) and are thus, reducing in nature. On the other hand, non-metals undergo reduction (i.e. they involve the loss of electrons) and are thus oxidizing in nature.

No.	Chemical properties	Metals	Non-metals
1.	Nature	Electropositive in nature i.e. they carry the positive charge. E.g.${N{a}^ {+}}, M{{g}^ {2+}}, A{{l}^ {3+}} $etc.	Electronegative in nature i.e. they carry the negative charge. E.g.${{Cl}^ {-}}, {{F}^ {-}}, {{S}^ {2-}} $etc.
2.	Oxides nature	It reacts with oxygen to give basic oxides. E.g.$4N\text{a+} {{O}_ {2}} \to 2N{{a}_ {2}} O$	It reacts with oxygen to form neutral or acidic oxides. E.g.${{O}_ {2}} \to C{{O}_ {2}} $
3.	Reaction with acids	They react with acids to form salt and hydrogen. E.g.$HN{{O}_ {3}} +Ca\to Ca{{(NO)} _ {3}} +{{H}_ {2}} $	No reaction
4.	Reaction with water	They react with water to form hydroxide and hydrogen.$2N\text{a+2} {{\text{H}} _ {2}} \text{O}\to \text{2NaOH+} {{\text{H}} _ {2}} $	Do not react.
5.	Oxidizing/ Reducing agents	Metals react as reducing agents by donating electrons.$Na\to N{{a}^ {+}} +{{e}^ {-}} $	Non-metals are oxidizing agents that can gain the electrons.$C{{l}_ {2}} +{{e}^ {-}} \to C{{l}^ {-}} $
6.	Bond	They form ionic bonds i.e. The bond which is formed by the electrostatic attraction between the two oppositely charged ions. E.g. metal oxides and hydroxides form ionic bonds.	They form covalent bonds i.e. The bond which is formed by the sharing of electron pairs. E.g. non-metal oxides and hydroxides form covalent bond.