Lesson 1 of 6

Metals and non-metals

Goal: Compare the properties of metals and non-metals.

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A gold nugget, a coil of copper wire and a lump of yellow sulfur

Elements come in two main kinds: metals and non-metals. The two kinds have very different properties.

MetalsShiny. Good conductors of electricity and heat. Malleable and ductile. Nearly all are solids.
Non-metalsDull. Poor conductors of electricity and heat. Brittle when solid. Many are gases.
  • Malleable means it can be hammered into shape. Ductile means it can be pulled into a wire. Brittle means it shatters when it is hit.
  • There are odd ones out. Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature. Bromine is a non-metal that is liquid. Graphite, a form of carbon, is a non-metal that conducts electricity.
  • Only a few metals are magnetic: iron, nickel and cobalt.
The cut end of a cable, showing a bundle of copper strands
Properties decide uses. Copper is a good conductor of electricity and it is ductile, so it is used for wires. Aluminium is malleable, so it can be rolled into thin foil.

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Key words in this lesson

Metal An element that is usually shiny and a good conductor

Non-metal An element that is usually dull and a poor conductor

Malleable Can be hammered into shape without breaking

Ductile Can be pulled out into a wire

Brittle Shatters when it is hit

Conductor Lets electricity or heat pass through it easily

For teachers: AQA 3.6.1 · Pearson Edexcel 16.3 · Cambridge 7Cm.03, 7Cp.05