Question

Distinguish between the physical properties of metals and non-metals with reference to:

(a) lusture (b) malleability (c) ductility (d) tensile strength (e) sonority (f) conduction of heat and electricity (g) melting and boiling point (h) density.

Answer 1

Property	Metals	Non-Metals
(a) Lusture	Lustrous (show brightness)	Non-lustrous Exceptions: Graphite, iodine
(b) malleability	Malleable Exceptions: Zinc	Non-Malleable Exceptions: Carbon fibre
(c) ductility	Ductile Exceptions: Zinc, mercury	Non-ductile Exceptions: Carbon fibre
(d) tensile strength	High tensile strength Exceptions: Zinc, mercury	Low tensil strength Exceptions: Carbon fibre
(e) sonority	Sonorous	Not sonorous
(f) conduction of heat and electricity	Good conductors of heat and electricity.	Non or poor conductors of heat and electricity
(g) melting and boiling point	High melting point and boiling point Exceptions: Sodium, potassium, mercury	Low melting point and boiling point Exceptions: Carbon, silicon Low density
(h) density	High density Exceptions: Sodium, potassium, calcium	Low density Exceptions: Graphite [carbon]