Question

Differentiate between metals and non-metals on the basis of their chemical properties.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Metals	Non-metals
1.	Metals form basic oxides.	Non-metals form acidic oxides or neutral oxides.
2.	Metals displace hydrogen from water (or steam).	Non-metals do not react with water (or steam) and hence do not displace hydrogen from water (or steam).
3.	Metals displace hydrogen from dilute acids.	Non-metals do not react with dilute acids and hence do not displace hydrogen from dilute acids.
4.	Metals form ionic chlorides with chlorine. These ionic chlorides are electrolytes but non-volatile.	Non-metals form covalent chlorides with chlorine (which are non-electrolytes but volatile).
5.	Metals usually do not combine with hydrogen. Only a few reactive metals combine with hydrogen to form ionic metal hydrides.	Non-metals react with hydrogen to form stable, covalent hydrides.