Question

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

Answer 1

Metal	Non-metal
Metals are electropositive.	Non-metals are electronegative.
Oxides of metal are basic in nature.	Oxides of non-metals are acidic in nature.
Metals displace hydrogen from dilute acids.	They can’t replace hydrogen from dilute acids.
Metals form chlorides which are electrovalent or ionic compounds.	Non-metals form chlorides which are covalent compounds.
They react with water to form oxides and hydroxides. Some metals react with cold water, some with hot water, and some with steam.	They do not react with water.

Answer 2

Chemical properties	Metals	Non-metals
(i) Reaction with oxygen	Metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides.	Non-metals react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides.
(ii) Reaction with water	Metals react with water to form metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas	Non-metals do not react with water.
(iii) Reaction with dilute acid	Metals react with dilute acids to form metal salts and they displace hydrogen from acids.	Non-metals do not react with dilute acids.