Materials: Metals and Non-Metals

Elements

There are about 118 elements on the earth.

Depending upon the properties of these elements,  these are divided into metals, nonmetals and metalloids.

Metals

Are those elements which are conductor of heat and electricity, have malleability, ductility and shining surfaces.

For example: Iron, Sodium, Potassium etc.

Non-Metals

Are those elements which are not conductor of heat and electricity, and also don’t have malleability, ductility and shining surfaces.

For example: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon etc.

Metalloids

Are those elements showing properties of metals as well as non metals.

For example: Silicon, Germanium etc.